Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups dried cranberries

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup English toffee bits or almond brickle chips, optional

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips, cranberries, pecans and toffee bits if desired (dough will be stiff)., Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten sli