Cookie Wednesday: Pomegranate Butter Cookies

This week's cookie features pomegranate juice. The idea for this cookie came up as I was trying to figure what cookie to give away as a favor at the baptism. I love the way the cookie came out; it was buttery and chewy with a subtle pomegranate flavor. It even glistened because of the turbinado sugar. Alex said it was one of the best cookies I had made in a while. Mind you, he is a huge fan of butter cookies and I don't make butter cookies often.

Pomegranate Butter Cookies
Yields 15 cookies

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp pomegranate juice
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla and pomegranate juice.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.

Place bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes so that the batter hardens and becomes easier to handle. Roll the cookies into 1-inch balls and then roll them in the turbinado sugar.

Place cookies on prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.