Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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