Orange Cranberry Cookies: Chewy Holiday Treats
These Orange Cranberry Cookies are absolutely AMAZING during the holidays! I love how the sweet orange flavor mixes with the tart cranberries.
They’re perfect for Christmas parties or cozy family gatherings. The chewy texture makes everyone smile. Trust me, your house will smell incredible!
These cookies remind me of joyful winter mornings. Want more festive treats? Check out this Cranberry Pound Cake or try the delicious Cranberry Fluff Salad. You’ll love them all!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes these cookies so yummy! Look at the recipe card below for exact amounts. I promise they’re simple!
- Unsalted Butter: This makes your cookies soft and gives them a rich buttery flavor throughout each bite.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweet crystals create that perfect cookie texture and help them turn golden brown.
- Orange Zest: Fresh citrus flavor bursts in every bite, making these cookies taste bright and cheerful.
- Orange Juice: More citrus goodness that enhances the orange flavor and adds moisture to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that holds everything together and creates the perfect cookie structure you need.
- Fresh Cranberries: Tart berries add pops of flavor and pretty red color throughout your delicious cookies.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Cookies
Making these cookies is easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect cookies.
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and orange zest until it looks light and fluffy. This takes about 3 minutes with your mixer. The mixture should look pale yellow.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg yolk and orange juice until everything combines nicely together. Your batter should look smooth now. Keep mixing until you don’t see any streaks.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening. Make sure there are no lumps anywhere.
Step 4: Mix Dough
Add dry ingredients to your wet mixture gradually and stir until just combined together. Don’t overmix or cookies get tough. The dough should look slightly crumbly but hold together.
Step 5: Fold in Cranberries
Gently fold fresh cranberries into your cookie dough using a spatula until evenly distributed throughout. The berries should be spread out nicely. Be gentle so they don’t break apart.
Step 6: Make Sugar Topping
Combine granulated sugar and orange zest in a small bowl for rolling your cookie dough balls. This creates that sparkly, sweet coating. Mix it up really well.
Step 7: Shape Cookies
Scoop dough and roll into balls about 1.5 tablespoons each, then roll in sugar-orange mixture completely. Place them on your prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. They’ll spread while baking.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden but centers look slightly underdone still. Don’t overbake them or they’ll get hard. Watch them carefully near the end!
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack completely. They’ll firm up as they cool down. This step is super important for texture!
Tips for the Best Orange Cranberry Cookies
Here’s what makes these cookies turn out perfect every single time!
- Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter mixes better and creates fluffier cookies overall.
- Fresh Orange Zest: Grate just the orange part, not bitter white pith underneath it.
- Don’t Overbake: Slightly underdone centers give you chewy cookies instead of crunchy ones here.
- Chill Dough: If it’s too sticky, refrigerate 15 minutes for easier handling always.
- Even Sizes: Same-sized balls bake evenly so everything finishes at once perfectly.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to change things up a bit? Here are some fun ideas to try!
- White Chocolate Chips: Add 1/2 cup for extra sweetness and creamy texture in every bite.
- Dried Cranberries: Use these instead of fresh if that’s what you have on hand right now.
- Lemon Zest: Swap orange for lemon zest if you prefer tangy citrus flavor instead there.
- Pecans or Walnuts: Toss in 1/2 cup chopped nuts for delicious crunch throughout your cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Bake them up to 3 days early and store in airtight containers at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious!
How do I store leftover cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or freeze for 3 months. They thaw quickly!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months total.
What if I don’t have fresh cranberries?
Dried cranberries work great too! Just chop them smaller so they distribute evenly throughout the dough you’re making.
Can I use salted butter instead?
Sure thing! Just skip the added salt in the recipe so your cookies don’t taste too salty overall.
Will these work in a different pan?
Yes! Any baking sheet works fine, but dark pans may need reduced time by 1-2 minutes always.
How do I know when they’re done?
Edges should be golden and centers look slightly soft still. They firm up while cooling on the sheet.
Can I double this recipe easily?
Of course! Just double everything and bake in batches if needed. The dough keeps well in the fridge!
Orange Cranberry Cookies: Chewy Holiday Treats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Sugar Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Beat softened butter with sugar and orange zest until the mixture becomes light and fluffy looking.
- Add egg yolk and orange juice, mixing until everything is smooth and well combined together.
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough just comes together nicely.
- Gently fold fresh cranberries into cookie dough until they’re distributed evenly throughout the mixture.
- Mix granulated sugar with orange zest in a small bowl to create the sparkly topping.
- Roll dough into balls, coat in sugar mixture, and place on baking sheets apart.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes until edges are golden, but centers look soft.
- Cool cookies on a baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. ENJOY!!
Notes
- Softened butter should be room temperature for the best mixing results and fluffy cookie texture.
- Fresh orange zest provides the brightest citrus flavor, so use fresh oranges when possible.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls for quick, fresh cookies whenever you want them later on.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa, coffee, or cold milk for perfect treats!
