Description

These delightful Cranberry Orange Cookies combine the tartness of dried cranberries with the bright citrus flavor of fresh orange zest and juice, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every bite. Easy to make and ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday treats, these cookies have a soft texture with golden edges, baked to perfection in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
Zest of 1 orange
2 tbsp fresh orange juice

Add-ins

3/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasonings throughout the flour.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a larger bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture in the cookies.
Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the large egg, orange zest, and fresh orange juice into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, blending well to infuse bright citrus flavor into the dough.
Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, then fold in the dried cranberries to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
Portion the Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, signaling that the cookies are perfectly baked.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring them to a plate or wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps set their texture.

Notes

For a stronger citrus flavor, consider adding an extra teaspoon of orange zest.
Butter should be softened, not melted, to achieve the best cookie texture.
Use parchment paper or silicone mats for effortless cookie removal and easy cleanup.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry cookies, orange cookies, cranberry orange cookies, holiday cookies, citrus cookies, easy cookies, baked treats