Spiced Cranberry Shortbread

Today I made something special for me. Its a gray nasty day with rain turning to snow in the forecast. (Yay me. -_-)

You have to try this recipe. It is fabulous!! For the cranberry and shortbread lover, this is a must try!

Spiced Cranberry Shortbread

*1 cup unsalted butter, softened
*3/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar
*1 tsp pure vanilla extract
*2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
*1/2 tsp salt
*1 tsp. ground cinnamon
*1/2 tsp. ground allspice
*1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 325. Put butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, spices and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir together until combined but not too creamy. Stir in dried cranberries.
Press dough evenly into a 8-inch square (or 10' round works as well) baking pan. Bake until firm and pale golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, about 20 minutes.

*I cut my shortbread into hearts with a 2-inch heart shaped cookie cutter, trimming any stray bits of cranberry from edges with a paring knife. I was testing for potential teacher gifts for Valentine's day. It was very fragile, but they turned out lovely.*