Introduction
Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are the perfect holiday treat, blending the tartness of cranberries with the bright citrus flavor of orange, creating a festive and refreshing bite. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with flavors that are both sweet and tangy—making them a delightful addition to your holiday cookie collection. The vibrant red cranberries paired with the zesty orange create a stunning contrast, perfect for gifting or sharing with loved ones during the holiday season.
Whether you’re looking for a new holiday favorite or simply want to impress your guests with a unique cookie recipe, these cranberry orange cookies will be the perfect choice. Their beautiful appearance, fresh flavors, and delightful texture make them an ideal cookie for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just enjoying with a warm cup of tea or coffee.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of making Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies, from gathering your ingredients to baking the perfect batch. We’ll also share tips to achieve the best texture and flavor, along with ideas for customizing the cookies to suit your personal taste. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these delicious and easy-to-make cookies!
Why You’ll Love Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart Flavors
The combination of sweet sugar and tart cranberries is the perfect balance in these cookies. The citrusy brightness of the orange adds a refreshing twist, making these cookies a lively and flavorful addition to your holiday dessert table. The flavors work harmoniously together, offering a taste that is both sophisticated and festive.
Soft and Chewy Texture
These cookies have a wonderfully soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The dough holds its shape during baking while remaining tender, with juicy bursts of cranberries and a subtle hint of orange zest in every bite.
Vibrant and Festive Look
The rich red color of the cranberries against the pale golden dough creates a visually stunning cookie that looks as good as it tastes. These cookies are sure to brighten up any holiday spread with their cheerful and vibrant appearance.
Easy to Make
Despite their elegant look and fantastic flavor, these cookies are incredibly simple to make. The dough comes together quickly with just a few basic ingredients, and baking them takes no time at all. Even if you’re a beginner baker, this recipe is easy to follow and will give you professional results.
Customizable for the Holidays
Feel free to get creative with this recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins or adjusting the flavors. You can experiment with adding white or dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of icing to make these cookies your own. The versatility of this recipe makes it easy to tailor the cookies to your taste or to suit different holiday themes.
Perfect for Gifting and Sharing
These cookies are great for sharing and gifting. Their festive look, paired with the irresistible flavor, makes them a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift. You can package them in holiday-themed boxes or tins to share the joy with friends, family, or neighbors.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Servings: Approximately 24-30 cookies (adjustable)
- Calories per Serving: Approximately 140-160 calories per cookie, depending on size.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 140-160 kcal
- Fat: 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: 22-24g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 12-14g
Ingredients
- Flour: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt: ½ teaspoon salt
- Butter: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar
- Eggs: 1 large egg
- Orange Zest: 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- Orange Juice: 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Dried Cranberries: 1 ½ cups dried cranberries, chopped if large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered Sugar: ¼ cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevents clumping when mixing with the wet ingredients.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or by hand with a whisk. Beat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process helps to incorporate air into the dough, giving the cookies a soft and tender texture.
Next, add the egg, orange zest, and orange juice to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until the ingredients are fully combined. The orange zest adds a burst of citrusy flavor, while the orange juice gives the cookies a slight tang and a hint of sweetness.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in small batches. Mix on low speed or stir with a spatula until everything is fully incorporated. Be sure not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to dense cookies. The dough should be thick but soft.
Finally, fold in the dried cranberries. If your cranberries are large, it’s a good idea to chop them into smaller pieces to ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. The cranberries will add both sweetness and tartness to the cookies, making them the perfect holiday flavor.
2. Chill the Dough
Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up, making it easier to roll into balls and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
3. Roll the Dough
After the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out portions of dough. Roll each portion into a ball about 1 ½ inches in diameter. The dough may be a bit sticky, but this is normal. If necessary, lightly dust your hands with flour to make rolling easier.
Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it slightly, but be careful not to flatten it completely. The cookies will spread and puff slightly during baking, but they should remain soft and chewy in the center.
If you’d like, you can lightly dust the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive, snowy effect. This is optional but adds a nice touch, especially if you’re planning to gift the cookies or display them on a holiday dessert tray.
4. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the tops are set. Be sure not to overbake the cookies, as they should remain soft and chewy on the inside. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s better to take them out of the oven when they’re still a bit soft in the center.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and ensures they don’t get too soft from residual heat.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Once the Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies have cooled, they’re ready to be served! These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with your family. Their vibrant color, festive appearance, and delicious flavor will make them a standout on any dessert table.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough
Chilling the dough is key to preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also helps the dough hold together, making it easier to form perfect round balls.
Use Fresh Orange Zest and Juice
For the best flavor, use fresh orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice. The zest provides an intense burst of citrus flavor, while the juice adds moisture and sweetness to the dough.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
When mixing the dough, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in tough cookies. Stir just until everything is combined, and be gentle when folding in the cranberries.
Adjust the Cranberries
If you prefer a sweeter cookie, you can use sweetened dried cranberries instead of the tart variety. Alternatively, you can chop the cranberries into smaller pieces to ensure an even distribution throughout the dough.
Make Ahead and Freezing Tips
You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it for later use. After chilling, shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as usual—no need to thaw them first.
Variations of Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies
For a creamy, sweet contrast to the tart cranberries, fold in some white chocolate chips to the dough. The combination of white chocolate and cranberry-orange is always a hit during the holidays.
Pistachio Cranberry Orange Cookies
Add chopped pistachios to the dough for a nutty crunch that pairs wonderfully with the chewy cranberries and citrusy orange flavor. This variation adds texture and depth to the cookies.
Gingerbread Cranberry Orange Cookies
For a spicier twist, add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the dough. The warm, spicy flavor of ginger complements the bright orange and tart cranberries, creating a unique and festive flavor combination.
Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry Orange Cookies
For an extra indulgent treat, dip half of each cooled cookie in melted dark or milk chocolate. This adds richness and a beautiful glossy finish to the cookies.
Storage and Shelf Life
Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
To thaw frozen cookies, simply let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. They’ll taste just as fresh as when they were first baked!
Side Dishes That Pair Well with Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Hot Chocolate: A rich cup of hot chocolate is the perfect drink to enjoy with these cookies, especially if you’re adding white chocolate chips to the mix.
- Spiced Apple Cider: The warm, spiced flavors of apple cider pair wonderfully with the bright cranberry-orange flavors of the cookies.
- Christmas Punch: For a festive drink pairing, serve these cookies alongside a holiday punch, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, for a fun and flavorful combination.
Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Description
Sweet and tangy, these Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are the perfect balance of flavors. Dried cranberries and zesty orange zest add a refreshing twist to a soft, buttery cookie dough. Finished with a slight dusting of sugar, these festive cookies will brighten up your holiday dessert spread with their vibrant color and flavor.
Ingredients
- Flour: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt: ½ teaspoon salt
- Butter: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar
- Eggs: 1 large egg
- Orange Zest: 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- Orange Juice: 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Dried Cranberries: 1 ½ cups dried cranberries, chopped if large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered Sugar: ¼ cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevents clumping when mixing with the wet ingredients.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or by hand with a whisk. Beat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process helps to incorporate air into the dough, giving the cookies a soft and tender texture.
Next, add the egg, orange zest, and orange juice to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until the ingredients are fully combined. The orange zest adds a burst of citrusy flavor, while the orange juice gives the cookies a slight tang and a hint of sweetness.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in small batches. Mix on low speed or stir with a spatula until everything is fully incorporated. Be sure not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to dense cookies. The dough should be thick but soft.
Finally, fold in the dried cranberries. If your cranberries are large, it’s a good idea to chop them into smaller pieces to ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. The cranberries will add both sweetness and tartness to the cookies, making them the perfect holiday flavor.
2. Chill the Dough
Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up, making it easier to roll into balls and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
3. Roll the Dough
After the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out portions of dough. Roll each portion into a ball about 1 ½ inches in diameter. The dough may be a bit sticky, but this is normal. If necessary, lightly dust your hands with flour to make rolling easier.
Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it slightly, but be careful not to flatten it completely. The cookies will spread and puff slightly during baking, but they should remain soft and chewy in the center.
If you’d like, you can lightly dust the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive, snowy effect. This is optional but adds a nice touch, especially if you’re planning to gift the cookies or display them on a holiday dessert tray.
4. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the tops are set. Be sure not to overbake the cookies, as they should remain soft and chewy on the inside. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s better to take them out of the oven when they’re still a bit soft in the center.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and ensures they don’t get too soft from residual heat.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Once the Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies have cooled, they’re ready to be served! These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with your family. Their vibrant color, festive appearance, and delicious flavor will make them a standout on any dessert table.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 140-160 kcal
- Fat: 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: 22-24g
- Protein: 1g
Conclusion
Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and citrusy flavors that are sure to become a holiday favorite. Their soft, chewy texture and vibrant appearance make them a standout on any holiday dessert table. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering, sharing them with family, or gifting them to loved ones, these cookies will bring joy and holiday cheer.
Follow this simple and easy recipe, and you’ll have a batch of delicious Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies ready to enjoy in no time. These cookies are sure to become a cherished holiday tradition, and they’ll leave everyone asking for more. Happy baking!
