Amazing Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe

INGREDIENTS You Need

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: The foundation of our tender cookies.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness.
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses and moisture.
• 1 large egg: Binds everything together.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors.
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of our dough.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda: Gives the cookies a little lift.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
• 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped: Adds that tart and chewy cranberry flavor.
• Zest of 1 orange: Don’t skip this! It’s where that amazing citrusy aroma comes from.
• ½ cup white chocolate chips: Adds extra sweetness and creaminess

Let’s Make Some!

1. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. I use an electric mixer for this, but you can also do it by hand – just be prepared for a little arm workout!
2. Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. This is where the magic starts happening!
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that everything is evenly distributed.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
5. Stir in the cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate chips: Fold in the chopped dried cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is my favorite part of making Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies – watch the magic happen!
6. Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the cookies hold their shape while baking. In my kitchen, this Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies usually takes about 45 minutes to chill.
7. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets: Drop the chilled dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
9. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Don’t worry if your Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies looks slightly soft in the center – they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While your Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies is doing its thing, get ready for some amazing aromas!

How to Serve Up This!

• Stack them high: Arrange the cookies in a festive stack on a pretty plate or platter.
• Dust with powdered sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
• Drizzle with melted white chocolate: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle the cookies with melted white chocolate.

FAQs:

• Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies? Absolutely! This recipe is super straightforward and easy to follow. If you can cream butter and sugar, you’re golden!
• Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? While I haven’t personally tested it, I’d recommend sticking with dried cranberries for this recipe. Fresh cranberries have a higher moisture content, which could affect the texture of the cookies.
• What if I don’t have orange zest? Can I use orange juice? Orange zest is really key to that vibrant citrus flavor. If you absolutely can’t get your hands on an orange, you could try using a teaspoon of orange extract, but the zest is definitely the way to go!
• How long do these cookies stay fresh? These Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. But let’s be real, they probably won’t last that long!
• Can I freeze the dough? Yes! This dough freezes beautifully. Just shape it into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and slice into cookies.
• What if I mess up my Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies? (Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible!) Honestly, even if they’re not perfectly shaped or slightly overbaked, they’ll still be delicious! The flavors are so good that it’s hard to go wrong.
• How can I prep this Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies for busy weeknights? You can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This is a great way to break up the baking process and make it more manageable.

CONCLUSION:

1. Don’t skimp on the orange zest: It’s the key to that bright, citrusy flavor.
2. Use good quality white chocolate chips: They make a big difference in the overall taste.
3. Don’t overbake: You want the cookies to be soft and chewy, not crunchy.

• Cranberry Orange Shortbread: For a more delicate, buttery cookie, try turning this recipe into cranberry orange shortbread.
• Citrus Cranberry Cookies with Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch.
• Holiday Baking Recipes with Spices: Mix in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spicy twist.

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Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

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These Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are bursting with festive flavors! The combination of tart cranberries and bright orange zest creates a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season.

• Author: Nyla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in the dried cranberries and nuts (if using).
7. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
9. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a festive touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple powdered sugar glaze mixed with a little orange juice.