White Chocolate Macademia Nut Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients:

1 c butter, softened

1 c granulated sugar

3/4 c packed light brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 1/2 c all purpose flour*

1 tsp baking soda

12 oz white chocolate chips

1 c macadamia nuts, chopped

1/2 c dried cranberries

*This recipe is for the original white cookies, to make chocolate cookies like those shown in the picture below, omit 1/2 c flour and add 1/2 c cocoa!

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt with electric mixer until creamy.
3. Add eggs, beat well.
4. Stir together flour and baking soda (and cocoa for chocolate cookies), gradually add to butter mixture beating until well blended.
5. Stir in white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts and cranberries.
6. Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto ungresed cookie sheets.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set (edges should be golden brown on white cookies, and the center should be set).
8. Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool completely. 

I first made these when I moved to Milwaukee for graduate school and didn't have much money to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family.  I made these to give away instead and they have become a favorite holiday treat for all!