CRANBERRY NUT SWIRLS

CRANBERRY NUT SWIRLS RECIPE
   
This recipe originated with my sister-in-law. It gets used a lot over the holidays when we want to pull a fast one on the guys in our family. They claim they don't like cranberries in any shape or form, but everyone enjoys these. —Carla Hodenfield, Ray, North Dakota

MAKES: 42 servings

TOTAL TIME:
Prep: 15 min. + chilling
Bake: 15 min./batch


INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely ground cranberries
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons milk

DIRECTIONS
Combine butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl occasionally. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Combine cranberries, walnuts and orange zest; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10-in. square. Combine brown sugar and milk; brush over dough. Sprinkle with cranberry mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up tightly, jelly-roll style. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate until firm, several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on well-greased baking sheets. Bake until edges are light brown, 14-15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen.

Originally published as Cranberry Nut Swirls in Country Woman September/October 1992, p29