When the holiday season rolls around, nothing quite captures the festive spirit like cozying up with a batch of the Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together the joyful tartness of dried cranberries with the bright, zesty punch of orange in a soft, buttery dough that melts in your mouth. The balance of flavors and the delightful chewy texture make them an irresistible treat perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting during Christmas time. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become your new holiday tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients, each one carefully selected to create the perfect texture, flavor, and festive color burst in every bite. From the creamy butter that ensures softness to the dried cranberries adding those gorgeous jewel tones and tartness, every element has its unique role.
- 1 cup butter, softened: Adds richness and keeps the cookies tender and soft.
- 1 cup sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that beautiful golden color.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Brings a subtle caramel flavor and moisture to the cookies.
- 1 egg: Binds all the ingredients, contributing to the structure and chewiness.
- 2 tablespoons orange juice: Infuses a fresh citrus brightness that complements the cranberries perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon orange zest: Boosts that orange aroma and flavor for a truly festive touch.
- 2 1/2 cups flour: Provides the foundation, giving the cookies their body.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise lightly and get that perfect texture.
- 2 cups dried cranberries: Packed with tartness and chewy goodness, they are the star of the show.
How to Make Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that once your dough is ready, the oven is at the perfect temperature to bake your cookies evenly with a beautiful golden edge.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the white and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, giving your cookies that tender yet airy bite.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, followed by the orange juice and orange zest. These liquids bring moisture and that unmistakable citrus punch to the dough, ensuring every cookie has a wonderful refreshing flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda together. Slowly incorporate this dry mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so keep it gentle here.
Step 5: Fold in the Dried Cranberries
Gently fold in the dried cranberries, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Their natural tartness will burst through each bite, balancing the sweet and citrusy flavors.
Step 6: Scoop and Space
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space between each cookie because they’ll spread slightly as they bake.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for about 8 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown. This short baking time keeps the centers soft and chewy, which is exactly what you want for these festive treats.
Step 8: Drizzle with Orange Glaze
Once cooled, whisk powdered sugar with a splash of orange juice and zest to make a quick glaze. Drizzle it over the cookies for a shiny, sweet finish that enhances their look and taste.
How to Serve Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a festive presentation, sprinkle a few fresh orange zest curls or whole dried cranberries on top of the glaze while it’s still wet. It adds a bright pop of color and an inviting aroma, making your cookies even more irresistible.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa, spiced tea, or your favorite holiday coffee blend. Their zesty cranberry-orange flavor complements warm drinks beautifully, creating a comforting holiday treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap these cookies in decorative tins or stack them with parchment paper in mason jars as thoughtful homemade gifts. You can also arrange them on a festive platter surrounded by fresh cranberries and orange slices for a dazzling holiday cookie board.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any uneaten cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and flavorful without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead for the holidays, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
To refresh frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature and warm them slightly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly-baked softness and intensifies the citrus fragrance.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries have a lot more moisture and tartness, which can change the texture and structure of the cookies. If you want to use fresh, consider reducing other liquids and chopping them finely, but dried cranberries work best for this recipe.
Is it necessary to add orange zest along with orange juice?
Yes, the zest contains essential oils that bring a concentrated orange flavor and aroma, which the juice alone cannot provide. Together they create that signature citrus brightness in the cookies.
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
Butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and tender crumb. While you can try margarine, oil would make them much denser and less flavorful, so butter is highly recommended.
How do I make the glaze thicker or thinner?
If the glaze is too thick, add a few drops of orange juice to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar little by little until you get the perfect drizzling consistency.
Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?
Absolutely! Refrigerate the dough in an airtight container for up to 48 hours before baking. This actually helps develop flavors, making your cookies taste even better.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough that you try the Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe this holiday season. These cookies bring together classic festive flavors in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. They will quickly become a beloved favorite whether shared at gatherings or enjoyed quietly by the fire. So, gather your ingredients and treat yourself and those you love to something truly special this Christmas.
Print
Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a festive and flavorful treat, combining the tartness of dried cranberries with fresh orange zest and juice. Soft, buttery, and lightly golden, these cookies are perfect for holiday baking and sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups dried cranberries
Orange Glaze
- Powdered sugar (amount not specified, estimated 1 cup)
- Orange juice (approx. 2 tablespoons)
- Orange zest (approx. 1 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a soft texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, orange juice, and orange zest until the batter is well combined, adding flavor and moisture to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl for even distribution before gradually adding to the wet mixture while stirring.
- Incorporate Cranberries: Gently fold in the dried cranberries to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough without breaking them.
- Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for about 8 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are set and baked through.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice and zest to make a glaze, then drizzle it over cooled cookies to add a sweet and citrusy finish.
Notes
- Make sure butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before drizzling the glaze to prevent melting.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with fresh if desired but may need to adjust moisture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
