If you love the bright, zesty flavors of citrus paired with the sweet tartness of cranberries, you are going to absolutely adore this Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between buttery richness and fruity freshness, all wrapped up in a delicate, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. It’s one of those special treats that feels both festive and comforting, making it an instant favorite whenever you bake a batch. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just because, these cookies bring sunshine and joy into every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet fantastic ingredients is the key to making these cookies perfect. Each one brings its own magic to the dough, from luscious butter creating that soft texture to the bursts of orange zest and tart cranberries adding personality and color.
- Salted butter: Provides rich flavor and ensures the cookies stay tender and moist.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping to create a lovely crisp edge.
- Almond extract: A subtle hint that complements the orange and cranberry beautifully.
- Flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving structure without heaviness.
- Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies soft and adds a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Orange zest: Bursts of bright citrus flavor and a lovely speckled look.
- Dried cranberries (finely chopped): Little pockets of tartness and chewiness that make every bite exciting.
- White chocolate (melted): Adds a sweet, creamy drizzle that finishes the cookies with elegance.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. This lower temperature ensures the cookies bake evenly and gently, allowing them to stay soft with just a golden edge.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then stir in the almond extract, which will subtly enhance the cookie’s aroma and flavor.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and cornstarch. Cornstarch is a secret ingredient here that helps create that tender crumb texture we all love in these cookies.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, blending gently until just combined. Don’t overmix, or the dough could become tough instead of tender.
Step 5: Add Zest and Cranberries
Fold in the orange zest and finely chopped dried cranberries. The zest brings fresh citrus notes while the cranberries add tart pops that brighten every bite.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough out to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use a 2.5-inch cookie cutter to cut out perfectly uniform circles. This helps the cookies bake evenly and look picture-perfect.
Step 7: Arrange and Bake
Place the cut cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving room for slight spread. Bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden.
Step 8: Cool and Drizzle
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate using a fork for a pretty and delicious finishing touch.
How to Serve Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra flair when serving your Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe is so much fun. Sprinkle a few zest curls or tiny whole cranberries around your plate to echo the cookie’s flavors visually. You might also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect during colder months.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea, fresh coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For a special brunch or festive spread, serve them alongside creamy whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream that highlights the fruit and citrus notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking the cookies with a thin layer of orange-flavored buttercream between them for irresistible mini sandwich treats. You can also package them in clear boxes or cellophane bags tied with a bright ribbon for cheerful homemade gifts that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, keep your Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They generally stay tender and flavorful for up to one week, perfect for nibbling over several days.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these cookies in advance, you can freeze the dough or the baked cookies. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months; thaw overnight before baking. Baked cookies freeze well too—place them in a single layer on a tray until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag.
Reheating
To bring frozen cookies back to life, warm them gently in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their texture and melts any white chocolate drizzle back into a silky finish. Avoid microwaving as it might make them chewy.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cranberries for dried ones?
Fresh cranberries have a lot more moisture and tartness, which could affect the cookie’s texture and baking time. It’s best to stick with dried cranberries finely chopped for the ideal chewy texture.
Do I have to use almond extract?
While almond extract adds a lovely depth that complements the orange beautifully, you can omit it or replace it with vanilla extract if almond flavor isn’t your favorite.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that behaves similarly, and ensure your cornstarch is also gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. They also freeze well if you want to keep them longer.
Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a lovely crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs nicely with the citrus and cranberry elements. Just fold them in with the cranberries.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly joyful about baking a batch of these Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe. They offer that perfect bite of buttery softness with tangy cranberries and bright orange zest that feels like a hug in cookie form. Whether you’re sharing with loved ones or sneaking a few for yourself, this recipe is sure to become a well-loved staple in your kitchen. Go ahead and try it—you’ll be so happy you did!
Print
Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these zesty Orange Cranberry Cookies, perfectly tender and bursting with tangy dried cranberries and bright orange zest. Enhanced with a hint of almond extract and finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate, these cookies are an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Butter Mixture
- 1 ½ cups salted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Add-ins
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped (craisins)
Topping
- 2 ounces white chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the cookies at the optimal temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the almond extract to infuse a subtle nutty flavor.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and cornstarch by whisking them together to ensure an even mixture.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while blending thoroughly until well incorporated, forming the dough base.
- Add Zest and Cranberries: Incorporate the orange zest and finely chopped dried cranberries into the dough, distributing them evenly for bursts of flavor.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a 2.5-inch cookie cutter to cut out the cookie shapes.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Place the shaped cookies onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spaced to prevent spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until the edges just turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the tops using a fork for a decorative and delicious finish.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted when creaming with sugar.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if preferred.
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies should remain soft and slightly chewy in the center.
- Chilling the dough before rolling can help maintain cookie shape and prevent spreading.
- Use wax or parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
