Bright, zesty, and perfectly chewy, cranberry orange cookies capture the essence of joyous moments. Imagine biting into a warm cookie bursting with vibrant citrus notes mingling with tart cranberries, tantalizing your taste buds like a burst of sunshine in winter. Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones.
These delightful treats have a special place in my heart, often making an appearance during holiday gatherings. Picture my family huddled around the kitchen table, laughter filling the air as we share stories and devour these cookies fresh from the oven. They promise an explosion of flavor that will leave you reaching for seconds—who can resist?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These cranberry orange cookies are effortless to make and require simple ingredients
- The blend of sweet and tart flavors creates a delightful treat for everyone
- Their vibrant colors make them a festive addition to any dessert platter
- Perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy afternoons with coffee
A few years back, I made these cookies for a neighborhood potluck, and they vanished faster than you could say “more cookies, please!” Better Than Anything Bars.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- All-Purpose Flour: Use good quality flour for the perfect chewy texture in your cookies.
- Baking Powder: This is essential for making the cookies rise and achieve that delightful softness.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened at room temperature to help create a smooth dough.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens your cookies while providing that lovely contrast to the tart cranberries. Cinnamon Sugar Brie Grilled Cheese.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth and moisture to your cookies, making them irresistibly chewy. For more inspiration, check out this easy sugar cookie frosting recipe.
- Eggs: Bind everything together; use large eggs for consistent results.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash brings warmth and enhances all the flavors beautifully.
- Dried Cranberries: Choose sweetened cranberries for contrast against the bright orange zest.
- Orange Zest: Freshly grated zest gives a punch of citrus fragrance that brightens every bite.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors without being overpowering.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below. Comfort Food Taco Rice.
Let’s Make it Together
Start by Preheating Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking like a bad Tinder date.
Create Your Cookie Dough Base: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. The mixture should look like clouds on a sunny day.
Add in Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in eggs one at a time with vanilla extract until fully blended. Your batter should smell divine; if not, you might want to reconsider your ingredient choices!
Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mix into your wet ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing unless you want tough cookies—no one wants that!
Add Cranberries and Zest: Fold dried cranberries and orange zest gently into the dough. The colorful bits should be evenly distributed like confetti at a birthday party.
Scoop and Bake Cookies**: Using two tablespoons or a cookie scoop, drop mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
Let them cool slightly before diving in—if you can resist!
Enjoy your cranberry orange cookies with coffee or tea or even as an afternoon snack when you need that little pick-me-up. For more inspiration, check out this Easter chocolate blossom cookies recipe.
You Must Know
- These delightful cranberry orange cookies offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet, making them an irresistible treat
- The vibrant colors and aromas will brighten your kitchen, creating a warm atmosphere perfect for sharing with loved ones
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by creaming the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then gradually add eggs and vanilla. This creates a light texture that allows the flavors to shine.
Add Your Touch
If you want to mix things up, try adding chopped walnuts or white chocolate chips for extra texture. You can also swap cranberries for dried cherries if you’re feeling adventurous.
Storing & Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh them, simply pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Always chill your dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor and texture
- Use fresh cranberries if available; they pack more flavor than dried
- Experiment with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra flavor kick!
Baking these cookies always brings back memories of family gatherings where everyone eagerly awaited their cooling aroma wafting through the house.
FAQ
Can I use frozen cranberries in cranberry orange cookies?
Yes, frozen cranberries work well but may require slightly longer baking time.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
For chewier cookies, reduce baking time by a minute or two for softer centers.
Is it possible to freeze cranberry orange cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to three months before baking.
Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Bright and zesty, cranberry orange cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. These chewy cookies combine sweet and tart flavors, creating a delightful bite that evokes warm, joyous moments. Ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons, they will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries (sweetened)
- Zest of 1 orange
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in dried cranberries and orange zest.
- Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden while centers remain soft. Let cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
