White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies with Walnuts and Orange Zest

Currently cleaning melted white chocolate out of my handbag after shoving four freshly baked cookies inside, in a desperate attempt to hide them from my relatives. If given a do-over I would have acted differently. I would have shoved five. Ok, six.

This is the summer all our family and friends have decided to visit. One herd after the next, with very little break in between, for 5 weeks straight. I guess it's to be expected when you live in a gorgeous town like Jackson Hole, WY. From horseback riding, to whitewater rafting, not to mention two national parks, there's something for everyone. It's an outdoor lover's paradise, and our house is conveniently located in the center of it all. 

While my home has been bombarded with suitcases, messes, chaos, wild (but very adorable) kids, miscellaneous shoes and socks, sticky substances on just about every surface, and hungry mouths to feed, I have no complaints. (Ok, I'm a little tired. Ok, a lot tired.) But that aside, I'm so happy to have my family and friends with me, in a place I've grown to love and call home. 

And I'm so happy to feed them! Especially sweets and treats. Filling tummies with freshly baked cookies, for a baker like myself, is like Christmas in July. 

Except for today. Today I was the Grinch who stole Christmas, and stuffed it in her face, and the leftovers in her handbag. Selfish as a two year old who hasn't learned to share. Because, today, I made cookies that are so dang delicious, so dang addicting, and soooo dang gooey and soft and chewy, that I savagely hid (eh...devoured) half the batch before my family could try them. I'm such a brat. A brat with a handbag that smells like white chocolate cranberry cookies with orange zest and walnut. Oh well...could be worse!

Make these cookies and kiss your will power goodbye. The flavors are absolutely intoxicating. The orange zest? Magic. The salty, sweet combo of white chocolate, cranberries, and toasted walnuts? Insane. The scent fresh out of the oven? It should be a perfume. But learn from me- unless you want to ruin your handbag don't make them when you're hosting guests. Be selfish, you deserve it.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies with Walnuts and Orange Zest

* Makes about 20 large cookies

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
• zest from a large orange

1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside. 
2. In a large bowl, with a hand-held or stand mixer, mix the butter and two sugars together on medium speed till fully combined. 
3. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix till fully combined, scraping down the bowl if needed.
4. On low speed, add the dry ingredients. Mix till just combined.
5. With a wooden spoon, stir in the white chocolate, cranberries, walnuts, and orange zest.
6. Cover the dough and chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
7. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
8. Working with 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll into balls, and place 3 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, till lightly browned on the edges. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on sheet, then cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Cookies will stay fresh for 1 week, stored in an airtight container.

Enjoy!