Christmas Cookies #3: Spiced Brown-Sugar Fruit Drops

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice, set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter on medium-low speed until smooth, about one minute. Add the dark brown sugar, orange zest, increase the speed to medium and beat until slightly fluffy, about 1 minute, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the egg, and vanilla extract, then add flour mixture alternately with milk. Stir in nuts and fruit.

Drop from a teaspoon, 1 inch apart, onto lightly greased baking trays. Push half of a glacé cherry in the top of each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until browned around the edges. Do not bake too brown. Cool and store in airtight container.