Festive Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe Delight

The sweet scent of freshly baked Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies wafts through the air, instantly igniting memories of holiday gatherings and cozy evenings by the fireplace. Imagine biting into a warm cookie, where tart cranberries dance with zesty orange, creating a flavor explosion that screams festive cheer.

As I reminisce about our family’s baking marathons during the holidays, I can almost hear the laughter and see flour flying everywhere. These cookies have become a staple in our home, making their grand debut every December. They are perfect for sharing at parties or as a delightful snack while snuggling under a blanket with your favorite holiday movie.

I remember the first time I brought these cookies to a holiday party; my friends couldn’t get enough! The compliments kept pouring in, and I felt like a baking superstar.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your cookie dough; sift it for lighter cookies.

• Baking Powder: Essential for giving your cookies that perfect rise and fluffy texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for easy creaming with sugars, which enhances flavor.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens your cookies just right; feel free to adjust based on preference.

• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth; use light brown for milder flavor or dark brown for richness.

• Eggs: Bind everything together; ensure they’re at room temperature for better mixing.

• Fresh Orange Zest: Provides that zesty kick; don’t skip this for maximum flavor!

• Dried Cranberries: These fruity jewels bring tartness and chewiness to each bite.

• Vanilla Extract: A splash adds warmth and complexity to your cookies.

• Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors in your cookie dough.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup later.

Creaming the Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes should do it! The mixture will be pale and airy.

Adding Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract and fresh orange zest. Mix until well combined. Your kitchen will smell like an orange grove!

Mixing Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix!

Tossing in Cranberries: Gently fold in dried cranberries using a spatula. This step is key—avoid squishing those little beauties!

Scooping Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread out while baking!

Baking: Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft—trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool down.

Let these delightful Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies cool slightly on the sheets before transferring them to wire racks. Enjoy warm or store them in an airtight container once completely cooled—they can last up to one week (if they survive that long)!

Now you’re ready to impress family and friends with these festive delights! Happy baking!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by mixing dry ingredients first, then cream butter and sugar before adding the wet ingredients. This order ensures a smooth dough and fluffy cookies, avoiding any lumps that may ruin your holiday spirit.

Add Your Touch

Get creative by swapping out cranberries for dried cherries or using lemon zest instead of orange. You can also add white chocolate chips for an extra touch of sweetness, making these cookies uniquely yours!

Storing & Reheating

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to savor them longer, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag for up to three months.

There was that one Christmas when my aunt declared my cookies better than her famous gingerbread. I was beaming all day, but I think I just got lucky with this recipe!

FAQ

Can I use frozen cranberries in Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies?

Yes, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before using.

What can I substitute for butter in this recipe?

You can use coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce as healthier alternatives.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

They should be slightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

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Delightful Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

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• Author: Jennifer
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x

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Description

Experience the festive joy of Christmas with these irresistible Cranberry Orange Cookies. Bursting with tart cranberries and zesty orange, each bite delivers a cheerful flavor that evokes warm holiday memories. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying during cozy evenings, these cookies are easy to make and are sure to impress family and friends alike.

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Ingredients

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• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• Zest of 1 medium orange
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, along with vanilla extract and orange zest until well combined.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the dried cranberries.
6. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft. Cool slightly on sheets before transferring to wire racks.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg