Coconut-Cranberry Chews

These are wonderful Christmas cookies. They hold their shape well in traveling or packing in boxes to give to friends. The tart cranberries give a fresh taste.
NOTE: Do NOT use Cranraisins. Those things are horrible. If you cannot find dried tart cranberries, substitute dried tart cherries. Both can be found at Trader Joe's.

Coconut-Cranberry Chews from Challenge Butter co.
The mixture may look dry until it comes together as a dough. If it's too crumbly to form into balls, mix longer. It should be smooth and homogeneous. This makes about 6 dozen cookies.

In a large bowl, beat 1&1/2 cups butter, at room temperature to beat with 2 cups sugar, 1 Tabl. grated orange peel, and 2 tsps. vanilla until smooth. Beat in 1 egg until well blended.
In a medium bowl, stir together 3&1/4 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt.
Add to the butter mixture and stir to mix. Beat on low speed until dough comes together, about 5 minutes or so. Mix in the 1&1/2 cups dried tart cranberries and 1&1/2 cups sweetened, dried flaked coconut.

Shape dough into 1" balls, and place about 2" apart on a buttered 12 x 15" baking sheets. (I use parchment paper instead of buttering the sheet.)
Bake at 350 until cookie edges just begin to brown, about 11-13 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a rack to cool completely.