Cranberry Drops

My mom used to make these as one of her Christmas cookie repertoire -- it has a nice bright color and a very fresh taste because of the fresh cranberries and orange juice. It is also very quick to make, which is nice if you're making a lot of fancier Christmas cookies to give away. The recipe doubles very well -- handy, since cranberries usually come in 12-oz. bags. Can't say for sure, but I think the base recipe makes about 3-4 dozen.

1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c milk
zest of one orange
2 tblsp orange juice
1 egg
3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c pecans, chopped
6 oz cranberries, chopped (I use my blender -- try it in two batches)

Preheat oven to 375. Cream sugars and butter. Add milk, juice, zest, and egg. in a separate bowl, combine the flour, soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to the other mixture. Stir in the pecans and cranberries. Drop by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for about 14-15 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom. cool on a cookie rack. These keep quite well if tightly sealed in a tin or tupperware.