Orange & Pecan Sugar Cookies

1 medium orange (any kind)
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries/semi-sweet or dark
chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and line a baking
sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl,
cream together butter and sugar. Zest orange
and add zest (about 1 tablespoon) to butter
mixture, along with 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh
orange juice (squeeze from remaining orange).
Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking
soda and salt. Add flour mixture to butter
mixture, blending in at a low speed until no
streaks of flour remain. Stir in pecan pieces
and optional cranberries and/or chocolate, if
using. Drop dough onto prepared baking sheet
in rounded teaspoonfuls (1-inch balls), leaving
about 2-inches between cookies. Bake for 9 to
12 minutes, until edges of cookies are lightly
browned. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes,
then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3
dozen, slightly more if using add-ins.