There’s something timeless about the scent of citrus and butter filling a winter kitchen. These Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a little taste of holiday nostalgia — soft in the center, crisp at the edges, and glowing with the warmth of orange zest and the tart sparkle of dried cranberries.
Each slice tells a story of cozy afternoons, shared laughter, and the quiet joy of baking something beautiful from simple ingredients. The dough rests patiently in the fridge, ready to be sliced and baked whenever you need a sweet moment. Whether it’s a festive tray for friends or a quiet cup of tea by the window, these cookies bring light, color, and comfort to every bite
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple, basic ingredients – Easy to find and use.
- Easy-to-follow 1-bowl recipe – Minimal cleanup and straightforward process.
- Buttery shortbread flavor – Infused with fresh orange and studded with chewy dried cranberries.
- Soft and thick in the centers, crispy around the edges – A delightful texture contrast.
- Flavorful and colorful – The cranberry + orange combo is festive and delicious.
- Great make-ahead cookie recipe – Perfect for busy schedules, especially during holidays.
- No rolling individual dough balls – Just slice and bake for convenience.
- Easy 2-ingredient icing – A simple yet flavorful finishing touch.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
- Large bowl
- Handheld mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment 🎛️
- Plastic wrap
- Floured work surface
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Plate (for rolling in sugar)
- Wire rack
- Whisk
- Squeeze bottle (optional, for icing)
🥄 Key Ingredients
- Unsalted butter – Softened to room temperature, for a rich and tender cookie base. 🧈
- Granulated sugar – For sweetness and crisp edges, plus more for rolling.
- Large egg – At room temperature, binds the ingredients together.
- Pure vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Spooned & leveled, the main dry ingredient for structure.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Orange juice – Freshly squeezed, for a bright citrus flavor in the dough and icing.
- Orange zest – Freshly zested, for fragrant orange aroma and flavor.
- Very finely chopped dried cranberries – Such as Craisins, for chewy texture and tartness.
- Coarse sugar – Optional, for rolling, adds sparkle and crunch.
- Confectioners’ sugar – Sifted, for the easy 2-ingredient icing.
🍪 How to Make Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until combined and creamy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Add the flour and salt and beat on low speed until combined. Finally, beat in the orange juice, orange zest, and dried cranberries until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
2. Form and Chill Logs:
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. With floured hands, divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 7- or 8-inch log (about 2.5 inches in diameter). Tightly wrap the dough logs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or up to 5 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough; overnight chilling is preferred for enhanced orange flavor.
3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
4. (Optional) Roll in Sugar:
Pour enough coarse sugar onto an 8-inch or larger plate to cover it. Roll the chilled dough logs in the sugar, pressing down if needed to ensure it sticks.
5. Slice and Bake:
Slice each dough log into 12 equally thick cookies and arrange on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 13–15 minutes or until very lightly brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare and Apply Icing:
Once cookies are fully cooled, whisk the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice together until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Optionally, top with more orange zest while the icing is still wet. The icing sets after 30–60 minutes.
💡 Tips for Success
- Mandatory Chilling – Do not skip the chilling step! This is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading into greasy puddles and for developing the orange flavor.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for a smooth, well-combined dough.
- Don’t Overmix – Mix the flour and other ingredients just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Coarse Sugar for Crunch – Rolling the logs in coarse sugar adds a lovely sparkly edge and sweet crunch, but it’s optional.
🆘 Cookie Troubleshooting Guide
Problem: My cookies spread too much and are greasy.
Likely Cause: Insufficient chilling time or butter was too soft/melted.
Solution: Ensure dough logs are thoroughly chilled (at least 3 hours, preferably overnight). Use butter that is softened but not melted.
Problem: The cookies are tough.
Likely Cause: Overmixing the dough after adding flour.
Solution: Mix the flour and other dry ingredients into the wet mixture only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough cookies.
👩🍳 Pro Chef Tips
- Make Ahead Magic: These are true icebox cookies! The dough logs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen logs in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.
- Flavor Boost: The orange flavor intensifies the longer the dough chills, so an overnight chill is highly recommended.
- Alternative Toppings: Instead of the orange glaze, you can dip or drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white or dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.
☕ Perfect Pairings: What to Enjoy with Your Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Hot Tea: A warm cup of black tea or a fruity herbal tea complements the citrus and cranberry notes beautifully.
- Coffee: A light roast coffee or a latte can balance the sweetness and fruitiness of the cookies.
- Sparkling Wine: A dry Prosecco or a light Moscato would pair wonderfully with the bright orange and tart cranberry flavors.
- Orange Juice: For an extra citrusy experience, enjoy them with a fresh glass of orange juice.
📦 How to Store
- Room Temperature: Store baked cookies, with or without icing, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
This comprehensive guide ensures you’ll create perfect Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies every time, making your baking experience delightful and delicious! 🍊🍪
🍰 More Recipes You’ll Love
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- Cookies & Cream Cookies: Your New Favorite Oreo-Filled Treat!
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🍊 Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies – Festive Slice & Bake Treats🍪
Description
These Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery shortbread, tart dried cranberries, and fragrant orange zest. Easy to make ahead and perfect for holidays, they feature a soft, chewy center and crispy edges, finished with a simple orange glaze.
Ingredients
Icing
Instructions
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In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until combined and creamy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Add the flour and salt and beat on low speed until combined. Finally, beat in the orange juice, orange zest, and dried cranberries until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
-
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and divide in half. Roll each half into a 7- or 8-inch log (about 2.5 inches in diameter). Tightly wrap the dough logs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 5 days. Chilling is mandatory.
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
-
(Optional) Pour coarse sugar onto a plate and roll the chilled dough logs in the sugar.
-
Slice each dough log into 12 equally thick cookies and arrange on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
-
Bake for 13–15 minutes or until very lightly brown around the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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For the icing, whisk confectioners’ sugar and orange juice together. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Optionally, top with more orange zest while icing is still wet. The icing sets after 30–60 minutes.
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Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.