FESTIVE CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES

Is there anything more evocative of the holiday season than the bright, cheerful flavors of cranberry and orange? These Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies – So Festive! aren’t just delicious; they’re a little burst of Christmas magic in every bite. Forget store-bought cookies this year, and let’s whip up a batch of these beauties together. I promise you, the aroma alone will fill your home with holiday cheer, and the taste? Absolutely irresistible!

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to create these festive delights. I’ve tried to make the list as straightforward as possible, using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

For the Cranberry Orange Cookies:

• All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/2 cups
• Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
• Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup, packed
• Large Eggs: 2
• Orange Zest: 2 tablespoons, from about 2 oranges
• Orange Extract: 1 teaspoon
• Dried Cranberries: 1 cup, chopped
• White Chocolate Chips: 1 cup (optional, but highly recommended!)

For the Orange Glaze (Optional, but SO Good!):

• Powdered Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
• Orange Juice: 3-4 tablespoons
• Orange Zest: 1 teaspoon (optional)

Step-by-Step to Cookie Perfection

Alright, let’s get baking! Don’t be intimidated; this recipe is easier than you think. I’ve broken it down into simple steps so we can bake our way to deliciousness together.

Making the Cookie Dough:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key for light and fluffy cookies.
3. In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender cookie. Don’t rush it!
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange zest and orange extract. Make sure everything is well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
6. Stir in the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips (if using).

Baking the Cookies:

1. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
2. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers will still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Orange Glaze (Optional, but Worth It!):

1. While the cookies are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest (if using) in a small bowl until smooth. Add more orange juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. I like mine to be thick enough to coat the cookies nicely, but thin enough to drizzle easily.
2. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the tops of the cookies. You can also dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze for a more even coating.
3. Let the glaze set completely before serving or storing the cookies.

Why These Cookies Are SO Festive!

Besides the obvious Christmas colors and yuletide flavors, these cookies have a certain *je ne sais quoi* that makes them perfect for the holidays. Maybe it’s the bright tanginess of the cranberries, the zesty aroma of the orange, or the sweet indulgence of the white chocolate. Whatever it is, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Plus, they are a great choice to serve alongside CRANBERRY JALAPENO DIP OBSESSION if you are looking to wow guests with a sweet and savory combo!

Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

Want to make these cookies *really* shine? Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years:

• Use Room Temperature Butter: This is crucial for creating a light and fluffy cookie dough. Softened butter will cream together with the sugar more easily, resulting in a more tender cookie.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This will result in thicker, chewier cookies.
• Use Fresh Orange Zest: The orange zest is what gives these cookies their vibrant citrus flavor. Use fresh zest from a ripe orange for the best results.
• Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: For an extra layer of warmth and spice, add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
• Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.

Cranberry Variations to Try

Feeling adventurous? Here are some fun variations you can try with these cranberry orange cookies:

• Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds would be a delicious addition to these cookies.
• Use Different Chocolate: Instead of white chocolate chips, try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chocolate chunks.
• Add Spices: A dash of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice would complement the cranberry and orange flavors beautifully.
• Make Them Vegan: Substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of the eggs.
• Add a Cream Cheese Frosting: If you love cream cheese frosting, try adding it! It would pair wonderfully with the cranberry and orange flavors, similar to how cream cheese complements the flavor in PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE COOKIES.

Storage Secrets

To keep your Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure to thaw them completely before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough and bake as directed.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are perfect for serving with a warm cup of coffee or tea, or as part of a festive holiday dessert platter. They also make a wonderful homemade gift for friends and family. Consider adding them to a cookie box filled with other holiday favorites like APPLE CIDER CHEESECAKE COOKIES. You could even pair them with CRANBERRY SAUCE for an extra touch of cranberry goodness. Imagine that! A cookie and a sauce…sounds delish!

More Festive Cookie Ideas

If you’re in the mood for more festive baking, don’t stop here! The world of holiday cookies is vast and delicious. You could also try something like FALL CHEESECAKE COOKIE BOMBS for another flavor explosion that will wow your guests!

Happy Baking!

I truly hope you enjoy making these Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies! They’re a simple yet elegant treat that’s sure to become a holiday favorite in your home. Remember to have fun in the kitchen, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and variations. Happy baking, my friend! And happy holidays!

Festive Cranberry Orange Cookies

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These cranberry orange cookies are a delightful holiday treat, bursting with the bright flavors of cranberry and orange. The addition of white chocolate chips and a simple orange glaze makes them irresistible, perfect for sharing or gifting during the festive season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 11 minutes mins

Total Time 31 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Whisk
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Wire rack
• Small bowl (for glaze)
• zester or microplane
• Citrus juicer (optional)
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop

Ingredients

  

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons orange zest, from about 2 oranges
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest optional, for glaze

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange zest and orange extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Stir in the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
• Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers will still look slightly soft.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cookies are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest (if using) in a small bowl until smooth. Add more orange juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
• Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the tops of the cookies or dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze.
• Let the glaze set completely before serving or storing the cookies.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh orange zest. Room temperature butter is crucial for a light and fluffy dough. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage. For an extra touch of warmth, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips or add chopped nuts.