Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that perfectly balances bright citrus flavors with the tartness of cranberries, look no further than these Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies. They’re a delightful blend of soft, buttery cookie dough bursting with juicy dried cranberries and zesty orange, finished with a luscious orange glaze that oozes holiday cheer. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or a quiet night in, these cookies deliver a warm, cozy hug in every bite and are sure to become a seasonal favorite you’ll want to whip up year after year.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these simple but essential ingredients is the first step toward creating the magic of these cookies. Each component plays a key role—from the creamy butter that gives tenderness, to the orange juice and zest that brighten the flavor, and the cranberries that add festive color and tang.

• 1 cup butter, softened: Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookie dough.
• 1 cup sugar: Sweetens and helps create that perfect texture once creamed with butter.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds subtle caramel notes and moisture for chewiness.
• 1 egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the golden color.
• 2 tablespoons orange juice: Infuses natural citrus flavor and moisture into the dough.
• 1 teaspoon orange zest: Packs in concentrated orange aroma and brightness.
• 2 1/2 cups flour: The structure of the cookies, ensuring perfect bite and shape.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and get a soft texture.
• 2 cups dried cranberries: Add a festive pop of color and tart burst in every mouthful.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Essential for making the smooth, sweet orange icing.
• 3 tablespoons orange juice: Combines with powdered sugar to make that unmistakable glaze.
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest: Boosts the icing with fresh citrus zing.

How to Make Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when your dough is mixed. Then, in a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—this creates the perfect base for soft cookies. Next, mix in the egg, orange juice, and orange zest to infuse your dough with fresh, bright flavors and moist consistency.

Step 2: Combine the Mixtures

In a separate bowl, blend the flour, salt, and baking soda. This dry mix provides structure and just a hint of lift to your cookies. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until everything is just combined to form a soft cookie dough. This careful mixing ensures your cookies will be tender and chewy without being dense.

Step 3: Add the Cranberries and Shape Cookies

Fold the dried cranberries gently into your dough, distributing them evenly so each cookie bursts with a tangy bite. Then, use a tablespoon to drop dough portions onto your cookie sheets, spacing them enough to give each cookie room to spread lightly as they bake. The scattered cranberries also add a festive splash of red that makes these cookies visually irresistible.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn a lovely light golden brown. This timing keeps their centers soft and chewy—a key characteristic of the Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes after baking, which helps them set perfectly before moving to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Step 5: Prepare and Drizzle the Icing

While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest in a medium bowl until smooth and pourable to prepare your signature orange icing. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle this glaze over each one in beautiful, festive patterns. The icing adds a sweet, citrusy finishing touch that complements your cookies perfectly.

Step 6: Harden the Icing and Store the Cookies

Allow the icing to dry completely so it hardens on top, giving you a neat, slightly crisp finish. To speed this up, you can chill the cookies briefly in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Once set, store your Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and keep that perfect chewy texture and sweet glaze intact.

How to Serve Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Garnishes

Adding an extra festive touch is easy with a few simple garnishes. Sprinkle a pinch of finely grated orange zest or even a few extra dried cranberries on top of the icing just before it sets for a pop of color and intense flavor. You could also dust lightly with powdered sugar to mimic a snowy holiday scene that’s as pretty as it is tasty.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea or fresh hot coffee, making them an ideal companion for afternoon gatherings or holiday mornings. Serve alongside a glass of cold milk or a cozy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows for an indulgent holiday treat that feels like a warm hug.

Creative Ways to Present

For a truly show-stopping holiday dessert table, consider stacking these cookies on a rustic wooden board tied with a festive ribbon. Or place them in pretty tins or clear jars for gifting to friends and family. You can even use cookie cutters to shape the dough before baking to add a playful twist to the classic look of the Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and iced, your cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping them sealed helps preserve both their soft texture and the brightness of the orange glaze—not to mention that gorgeous cranberry burst.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead in your holiday baking, these cranberry orange cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen, they can last up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture, making them a convenient make-ahead treat.

Reheating

To enjoy your cookies fresh after freezing, allow them to thaw at room temperature. If you want to revive that just-baked warmth, pop them in a warm oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes. This softens the cookie while keeping the icing intact, bringing back their irresistible charm.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries contain a lot of moisture, which can affect the texture of your cookies. It’s better to stick with dried cranberries to keep the dough from becoming too wet and to retain that delightful chewy bite.

What if I don’t have orange juice—can I substitute with something else?

For the best flavor, orange juice is key, but you can substitute freshly squeezed lemon juice for a slightly different citrus note or use a little orange extract if needed. Just keep in mind it may alter the cookie’s freshness and tang.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted before creaming with the sugars, and chill the dough briefly if it feels too soft. Proper spacing on the baking sheet also helps maintain nicely shaped cookies.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to replace the all-purpose flour. Just check that your blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for the best texture.

How thick should the orange icing be?

The icing should be thick enough to hold shape when drizzled but still fluid enough to spread slightly over the cooled cookies. Adjust with a bit more powdered sugar or orange juice if needed to reach the perfect consistency.

Final Thoughts

These Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are truly a showstopper, blending festive colors and flavors into a treat that’s as joyful to bake as it is to eat. They bring warmth, sweetness, and a zing of citrus to your holiday celebrations, and I can’t wait for you to make them and share them with your loved ones. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become an indispensable part of your holiday traditions!

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