This cookie……my, my, my. Whenever I ask anyone what their favorite cookie is, the answer is usually “chocolate chip”. Normally I would say that too. But I have a new favorite. I am in love with this cookie. It’s tart, sweet, chewy and it melts in your mouth. It’s kinda like shortbread, but better. The dried cherries have a sweet tartness. The lemon zest gives the cookie a refreshing taste. Together, wow. It’s so good that you want everyone to try them, but yet you want to keep them all for yourself. Hahahaha.

It’s a great Christmas cookie….tastes like the holidays, but they taste like summer also. I made half with lemon zest and half with orange zest. They’re just good, ok? I hope you will make some soon. Like right now. Go bake.

Dried Cherry Lemon Cookies

1  1/2 sticks of butter (3/4 cup)
1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 cups of all purpose flour
1  tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped up
1 tblsp lemon zest (you can use orange if you prefer)
1/2 tsp vanilla

Sugar for rolling:  Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tblsp lemon zest. Set aside.

Heat your oven to 350 deg.
Mix together the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg. Mix in the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Don’t overmix your batter. Stir in the cherries and the zest. Using a cookie scooper or spoon, roll into 21 balls. Roll them in the sugar/zest mixture. Place balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Using a spatula, slightly flatten the dough balls. Bake for 14 minutes until very light brown. Sprinkle with a wee bit more sugar once out of the oven. Allow to cool.