Place cranberries, pecans and brown sugar in a food processor (or high-powered blender/chopper). Process until ingredients become small pieces. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), cream the butter and granulated sugar together until well combined. Add baking powder, salt, eggs, and orange zest. Beat on low/medium for one minute. Add flour (by spoonfuls) to the mixture, while mixing on medium speed, until all ingredients have been thoroughly combined. Once combined, cover bowl and refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
Divide chilled dough in half. Place one half in between sheets of wax or parchment paper. Roll dough out into a rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top layer of paper. Spread half of the cranberry-pecan mixture evenly over the top of the dough to within 1/2 inch of all edges. Roll up dough (begin with the SHORT side of dough). Guide the dough with your hands and use the wax or parchment paper to pull the dough up as you form a "log-shaped" roll. Pinch dough to seal ends. Repeat with other half of dough. Transfer each "dough log" onto a clean sheet of wax or parchment paper. Seal dough in paper. Tape shut. Refrigerate overnight. (Dough must be thoroughly chilled to cut clean, nice even slices).
When ready to bake cookies, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a very sharp knife, cut cookie dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices 1-2 inches apart on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, or just until bottoms of the cookies begin to turn golden brown. Remove from oven. Let cookies "rest" a few minutes before removing from baking sheet. Let cookies cool completely on wire racks. Enjoy!
Don't be scared away from making these due to the long refrigeration time. I made the dough up the day before I wanted to bake them. Then I baked them up the next day... no trouble!
Cranberry-Orange Pinwheel Cookies https://www.thegratefulgirlcooks.com/cranberry-orange-pinwheel-cookies/