Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Orange Cranberry Cookies combine bright, citrusy flavors with tart cranberries for a delightful treat. These cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a sweet orange glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch. They’re ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a burst of flavor in a homemade cookie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups dried cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice (for icing)
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (for icing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, orange juice, and orange zest, mixing until well combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a cookie dough forms.
3. Step 3: Chop the dried cranberries if desired and fold them into the dough evenly. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.
4. Step 4: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Let the cookies rest on the sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
5. Step 5: While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by combining powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl. Mix until smooth, then drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies.
6. Step 6: Allow the icing to harden fully before serving or storing the cookies.

Tips & Variations

• For extra texture, try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough along with the cranberries.
• If fresh orange juice is not available, bottled juice works well too—just be sure it’s not from concentrate with added sugar.
• To make smaller bite-sized cookies, reduce the dough amounts accordingly and adjust baking time slightly.
• For a softer glaze, add a little more orange juice, or for a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, place them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, let the cookies come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries have a high moisture content and may affect the texture of the cookies. It’s best to use dried cranberries for the intended chewy texture and sweetness.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This can help develop flavor and make the dough easier to handle.

Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 148 reviews

These Orange Cranberry Cookies combine the tangy brightness of fresh orange juice and zest with the tart sweetness of dried cranberries. Soft, buttery, and topped with a zesty orange glaze, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a citrusy treat.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups dried cranberries

Orange Icing

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

1. Prepare the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the egg, orange juice, and orange zest, mixing well until the ingredients are fully combined.
2. Combine the Mixtures: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a smooth cookie dough forms without any lumps.
3. Add the Cranberries and Shape Cookies: If desired, chop the dried cranberries into smaller pieces. Fold the cranberries gently into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly. Using a tablespoon, drop portions of the dough onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading during baking.
4. Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. After baking, allow the cookies to rest on the sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Prepare and Drizzle the Icing: While the cookies cool, prepare the orange icing by combining powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a medium bowl. Mix until the icing is smooth and free of lumps. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies evenly.
6. Harden the Icing and Store the Cookies: Let the icing harden completely at room temperature. Once set, store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and maintain their texture.

Notes

• For a more intense orange flavor, add extra orange zest to the dough or icing.
• Make sure the butter is softened and not melted for the best texture.
• You can substitute dried cranberries with dried cherries or raisins if preferred.
• Allow the icing to fully harden before stacking cookies to prevent sticking.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Keywords: orange cranberry cookies, citrus cookies, holiday cookies, orange zest cookies, dried cranberry cookies, iced cookies