Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies – A Festive, Sweet, and Tangy Holiday Treat Recipe
These Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a festive holiday treat combining sweet dried cranberries with tangy orange zest and juice. Soft and chewy with a hint of citrus, these cookies offer a perfect balance of flavors that brighten up any holiday celebration. Optional white chocolate chips or nuts add extra sweetness and crunch, while a simple orange glaze finishing touch makes them visually appealing and even more delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (about 1 large orange)
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (120g) dried cranberries, chopped
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup (85g) white chocolate chips (extra sweetness)
- ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans or walnuts (crunch)
- Simple orange glaze for drizzling after baking
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This aerates the batter for tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated. Then mix in the fresh orange juice and finely grated orange zest, ensuring these citrus flavors are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold In Cranberries (and Optional Add-Ins): Gently stir the chopped dried cranberries into the dough. If using, fold in the white chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts to add extra flavor and texture.
- Shape: Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of dough, rolling each into a ball with your hands. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. This ensures a chewy, moist texture.
- Cool & Finish: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, drizzle with a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice to enhance the citrus flavor and add a festive touch.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture.
- Chopped dried cranberries provide the characteristic tartness; consider chopping them finely for easier mixing.
- Optional white chocolate chips add sweetness balancing the tart cranberries.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts give a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor, complementing the fruit and orange zest.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus aroma and flavor.
- A simple glaze can be made by mixing powdered sugar with enough orange juice to achieve a drizzling consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, cranberry orange cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, citrus cookies, soft cookies
