Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies (Printer-Friendly)
Soft cookies with tart cranberries, citrus zest, and a sparkling sugar coating. Chewy centers and crisp edges.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Cookie Dough
01 -
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 -
1 cup granulated sugar
03 -
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 -
1 large egg
05 -
2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
06 -
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
07 -
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
08 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
09 -
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 -
2 cups dried cranberries, coarsely chopped if desired
→ Icing
11 -
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 -
3 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
13 -
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
02 -
Beat in the egg, orange juice, and orange zest until thoroughly combined.
03 -
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
04 -
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, mixing just until a dough forms.
05 -
Gently fold in dried cranberries by hand. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart.
06 -
Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges turn light golden and centers remain soft. Allow to cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle icing over completely cooled cookies.
08 -
Let the icing set until firm. For faster setting, place the cookies in the freezer briefly. Once icing is hardened, store cookies in an airtight container.
# Additional Suggestions:
01 -
For optimal texture, never use melted or overly soft butter. To prevent toughness, mix the dough only until dry ingredients are just incorporated. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking enhances flavor and ensures uniform baking.
02 -
Packed brown sugar contributes a chewier texture; a blend of white and brown sugar balances sweetness and structure.
03 -
For best results, use freshly grated orange zest and fresh orange juice in both cookie dough and icing for vibrant citrus flavor.