In a food processor, or a bowl, combine orange zest, cranberries, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Pulse to break cranberries down in size a bit so they are easier to eat in the cookies.

In a bowl stir together flour and 1/2 cup sugar

Cut butter into the bowl, and then use a wooden spoon or your hands to combine the mixture together. It will be a sandy texture.

Stir in orange juice, vanilla, and cranberry mixture, and combine well

Lay out a piece of plastic wrap, and dump 1/3 the shortbread dough onto it, roll it into a log. It will still be crumbly, so use the plastic wrap to help you get it to hold together. Repeat for the rest of the dough.

Put the rolls of shortbread dough into a quart freezer bag, and label

When ready to bake, pull out of freezer, preheat oven to 350

Slice about 1 centimeter or so thick

Place on sprayed cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes

Let rest on sheet 2 minutes, then move to cooling rack

Let cool and enjoy