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Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe

Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe

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These soft and chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are bursting with holiday flavor! The bright citrus zest and tart dried cranberries make each bite sweet, tangy, and festive. Lightly rolled in sugar for a sparkling finish, these cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or cozy afternoons with tea. The orange glaze adds an extra touch of holiday cheer.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 36–48 cookies

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest (from 1 large orange)
  • 2 cups dried cranberries (chopped if large)

For the Icing:

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/2 tsp orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg, orange juice, and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.
  5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
  6. Fold in the dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
  7. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  9. To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth.
  10. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and allow it to harden before storing.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use freshly grated orange zest and juice.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if it feels too soft.
  • These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months — with or without icing.
  • Try adding white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra flavor.
  • Author: lily
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Holiday Cookies
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian