Cranberry and white chocolate cookies

Makes about 12 cookies

If you can't find dried cranberries, chopped-up dried cherries would work equally well, although cranberries do have that sharpness as well as sweetness to them. And of course they're incredibly Christmassy. I included this recipe to keep the kids happy after they'd been making so many things for other people to enjoy. There was no chance these would be given away.

125g butter, softened
120g soft light brown sugar
A few drops of vanilla essence
1 egg, beaten
150g plain flour
1/2tsp baking powder
A good pinch of salt
80g dried cranberries
80g good quality white chocolate buttons

In a food processor or by hand, mix the butter with the sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Slowly add the egg until well mixed then sift in the flour and salt with the baking powder and mix until a smooth dough is formed. Spoon small amounts of the mixture on to a non-stick, or lighly greased baking tray and flatten them slightly with a spoon, leaving space between them to spread.

Pre-heat the oven to 190C/gas mark 5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until pale golden and slightly soft in the middle. Leave to cool on the tray then transfer on to a cooling rack and leave until cold. Store in an airtight jar if there are any left.