If you adore festive flavors that bring a burst of brightness and a touch of tartness to your day, these Cranberry Orange Cookies are absolutely for you. Picture a soft and chewy cookie with just the right crisp edges, where vibrant orange zest and the tang of dried cranberries come together in a delightful dance. These cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up, yet they fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and your palate with holiday magic. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or craving a sweet treat that feels both classic and fresh, Cranberry Orange Cookies are a sure-fire way to brighten your cookie jar and your mood.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, making these Cranberry Orange Cookies taste as wonderful as they look. The combination of familiar pantry staples and fresh citrus ensures a well-rounded flavor and perfect texture.
- Dried cranberries: Provide tartness and chewy bursts that perfectly balance the sweetness.
- Orange juice: Hydrates the cranberries while infusing vibrant citrus flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base of the cookie’s structure.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies tender and soft without becoming cakey.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and develop light texture.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, giving them a well-rounded taste.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve crisp edges.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens while contributing to the cookie’s lovely golden color.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Orange zest: Delivers an extra punch of fresh citrus aroma in both the dough and topping.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries
Begin by hydrating the dried cranberries to bring out their juicy tartness and prevent dryness in the cookie. Pour fresh orange juice over the chopped cranberries, then give them a quick 30-second warm-up in the microwave. This simple step softens the cranberries beautifully while infusing that lovely citrus flavor you’ll love throughout the cookie.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning, which is essential for every cookie bite to have a perfect balance of flavors and texture. Setting this mix aside helps streamline the baking process once your dough is ready.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons of orange zest using a hand mixer. This step is key to getting that delicate crumb and subtly citrus-flavored base for your dough. Then add the egg and mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add your flour mixture into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and chewy. This is where your dough starts taking shape, bringing the bright and homey flavors of cranberry and orange closer to becoming the irresistible cookies you’re craving.
Step 5: Fold in Cranberries
After draining any excess orange juice from the cranberries, fold about three-quarters of them into the dough gently. These bursts of tartness will pop in every bite, while the remaining cranberries will become a beautiful, decorative topping later in the process.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Using a cookie scoop, portion out generous 2-tablespoon mounds of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours or preferably overnight. This chilling step is so important because it allows the flavors to meld and results in a more controlled spread and chewier texture once baked.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 400°F (or 375°F if using dark baking sheets). Bake the cookies for 7 to 8 minutes, keeping a close eye so they turn just golden brown at the edges. The timing is crucial here — overbaking robs the soft interior, so trust your instincts and oven.
Step 8: Add Final Touches
While the cookies are still warm, sprinkle the remaining cranberries on top along with a mix of orange zest and granulated sugar. This final flourish creates a beautifully festive finish and an extra citrus crunch that is irresistible once cooled. Let your cookies rest on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Cookies
Garnishes
For a stunning presentation, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle a thin glaze made with orange juice and powdered sugar. A sprig of fresh rosemary or a small twist of orange peel can add a festive aroma and elevate the look if you’re serving guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or even mulled wine during the holidays. Serve alongside creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful dessert finish that balances tart and sweet.
Creamy Ways to Present
Turn your Cranberry Orange Cookies into a spectacular layered dessert by breaking them up into chunks and layering them with mascarpone cheese or vanilla custard and fresh berries. This unexpected presentation makes the cookies feel new and fancy while retaining their beloved flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cranberry Orange Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Separating layers with parchment paper helps maintain their crisp edges and chewy centers without sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to three months and thaw beautifully at room temperature.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked warmth, pop cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave on low power for 10-second bursts. This brings back their just-out-of-the-oven softness and fresh orange aroma perfectly.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cranberries for dried cranberries?
Fresh cranberries are much more tart and contain more moisture than dried, so they can affect the texture and balance of the cookie. If you want to use fresh, consider drying them slightly or increasing sugar and adjusting hydration to compensate.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough solidifies the fats, which controls cookie spread in the oven. It also allows flavors to develop fully, resulting in a more flavorful and textured Cranberry Orange Cookies experience.
Can I use baking powder instead of baking soda?
Baking soda and baking powder are not interchangeable one-to-one, as baking soda needs an acid to activate. Since this recipe uses orange juice, baking soda is the best choice for proper rise and texture.
How can I make these cookies more festive for the holidays?
Adding finely chopped nuts like pistachios or toasted walnuts adds crunch and color. You can also sprinkle some red and green sugar crystals for a colorful, festive sparkle.
What’s the best way to get crisp edges and a chewy center?
Using room-temperature butter and chilling the dough are two key tricks. Baking at a relatively high temperature for a short time helps create crisp edges while keeping the center soft and chewy.
Final Thoughts
Give these Cranberry Orange Cookies a try and watch how quickly they become a favorite in your cookie repertoire. Their cheerful, bright flavors paired with a tender, chewy texture make them perfect for sharing with loved ones or keeping all to yourself. Trust me, once you make them, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed the holidays without their zesty, sweet-tart magic.
PrintCranberry Orange Cookies
These Cranberry Orange Cookies are slightly soft and chewy with crisp edges, featuring a bright orange flavor that complements the tartness of dried cranberries. Simple to prepare, these festive cookies are perfect for holidays and everyday treats alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- Juice of one orange
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Orange Sugared Zest
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Zest of one orange
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside to keep cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Hydrate Cranberries: Pour the orange juice over the dried cranberries and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then let them soak to absorb the liquid and soften.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the room-temperature butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons orange zest until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until just combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Cranberries: Drain any excess liquid from the cranberries and fold ¾ cup of them into the cookie dough evenly.
- Scoop and Chill Dough: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie dough scoop, drop mounds of dough onto the prepared sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Refrigerate the dough on the baking sheets for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 400°F (or 375°F if using dark baking sheets to prevent burning).
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 7-8 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden brown, preserving softness inside.
- Prepare Sugared Zest: Mix the remaining orange zest with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in a small bowl.
- Top Cookies and Cool: Right after removing from the oven, top each cookie with the remaining cranberries and the orange sugared zest. Let them rest on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- When using a dark-colored baking sheet, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F to avoid over-browning.
- Chilling the dough for longer than 2 hours, preferably overnight, enhances the texture and flavor.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie size for even baking.