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This post is all about Christmas Cookies.
If Christmas had a signature cookie flavor, this would be it. These Cranberry Orange Cookies are soft, buttery and bursting with bright citrus flavor, chewy dried cranberries and a hint of sweet glaze that makes them shine.
They’re simple enough for everyday baking yet special enough for holiday cookie exchanges or gifting.
The combination of tart cranberries and fresh orange zest creates a refreshing contrast to traditional heavy holiday sweets perfect with a cup of tea or cocoa by the fire.
Elegant, aromatic and full of seasonal flavor these cookies belong on every Christmas dessert tray or table .
🎄 Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Bright & balanced: The citrus zest offsets the tart cranberries beautifully.
- Soft & chewy: Buttery base stays tender for days.
- Easy to make: Simple dough, no chilling required.
- Perfectly festive: Red cranberries and orange glaze make them holiday-ready.
- Pinterest-perfect: Pops of color and glossy glaze look stunning in photos.
These cookies bring together everything you love about winter baking — cozy flavor, festive color, and effortless beauty.
🍪 Ingredients (Makes 24 cookies)
| Ingredient | U.S. | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) | 170 g |
| Granulated sugar | ¾ cup | 150 g |
| Brown sugar | ¼ cup | 50 g |
| Large egg | 1 | 1 |
| Orange zest (freshly grated) | 1 Tbsp | 6 g |
| Orange juice (fresh) | 1 Tbsp | 15 ml |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | 5 ml |
| All-purpose flour | 2 ¼ cups | 280 g |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp | 2 g |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | 1 g |
| Dried cranberries (chopped) | ¾ cup | 90 g |
Optional Orange Glaze
| Ingredient | U.S. | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | ½ cup | 60 g |
| Fresh orange juice | 1–2 Tbsp | 15–30 ml |
| Orange zest | pinch | — |
🧁 Equipment You’ll Need
- Hand or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking trays + parchment paper
- Microplane or fine grater (for zest)
- Cooling rack
- Small whisk or spoon for glaze
🍊 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line trays with parchment or silicone mats.
This ensures even baking and a golden bottom without overbaking.
Step 2 — Cream Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice; beat again until smooth and creamy.
🍊 Tip: Use freshly grated zest for the best aroma — bottled juice alone won’t capture that true citrus brightness.
Step 3 — Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add to the wet ingredients on low speed until just combined.
Fold in chopped dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
Step 4 — Scoop & Bake
Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough (or use a small cookie scoop) and roll into balls.
Place them 2 inches apart on the tray.
Bake 10–12 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are soft.
Cool on tray 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
💡 Pro Tip: Slightly underbake for softer, chewier cookies — they’ll firm as they cool.
Step 5 — Make the Orange Glaze (Optional but Gorgeous!)
Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice and zest until smooth and glossy.
Drizzle or brush over cooled cookies for a bakery-perfect finish.
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle with a few orange zest curls or a pinch of sparkling sugar.
🎁 Optional Variations
- White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies: Add ½ cup (90 g) white chocolate chips.
- Glazed Orange Sugar Cookies: Skip the cranberries for pure citrus bliss.
- Cranberry Almond Cookies: Add ¼ tsp almond extract to the dough.
- Orange Creamsicle Twist: Replace half the butter with cream cheese for a tangy flavor.
- Frosted Christmas Cookies: Pipe a thin orange buttercream layer on top for gift-worthy presentation.
Each version photographs beautifully — perfect for Pinterest carousel pins or Christmas cookie boards.
🍭 Make-Ahead & Storage
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 5–6 days | Airtight container |
| Refrigerator | 1 week | Keeps glaze firm |
| Freezer (unbaked dough) | Up to 2 months | Bake from frozen +1–2 min |
| Freezer (baked cookies) | Up to 3 months | Defrost before glazing |
🎁 Gift Idea: Stack 3–4 cookies in clear treat bags, tie with gold ribbon, and add a tag reading:
“Cranberry Orange Cookies — Made with Love & Sunshine.”
☕ Perfect Pairings
- Earl Grey tea 🍊
- Cranberry spice punch 🍷
- Eggnog latte 🎅
- White hot chocolate 🍫
- Orange cranberry mimosa 🥂
💬 FAQ
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: Yes! Chop and pat them dry first to avoid excess moisture.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead?
A: Absolutely — refrigerate up to 48 hours before baking.
Q: Can I skip the glaze?
A: Yes, the cookies are delicious plain — but the glaze adds brightness and shine.
Q: Can I use bottled orange juice?
A: Fresh gives the best flavor and aroma. Bottled juice works in a pinch.
Q: Do these freeze well?
A: Yes — glaze after thawing for best results.
📝 Recipe Card
Cranberry Orange Cookies
Prep Time: 20 min Bake Time: 12 min Total: 32 min Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp (6 g) orange zest
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) orange juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp (2 g) baking soda
- ¼ tsp (1 g) salt
- ¾ cup (90 g) dried cranberries, chopped
Optional Glaze
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 Tbsp (15–30 ml) orange juice
- pinch orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line trays with parchment.
- Cream butter + sugars 2 min. Add egg, orange zest + juice, vanilla; mix well.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt. Add to wet mix; fold in cranberries.
- Scoop 1 Tbsp dough balls; place 2 in apart.
- Bake 10–12 min until golden at edges.
- Cool on tray 5 min, then rack.
- For glaze: whisk ingredients, drizzle over cooled cookies.
Storage: Airtight 5–6 days or freeze up to 3 months.
💖 Final Thoughts
These Cranberry Orange Cookies are a breath of fresh air in the sea of chocolate and peppermint treats; tangy, sweet and full of holiday cheer.
The vibrant cranberries and citrus zest make every bite sparkle with flavor and color while their soft buttery base keeps them perfectly comforting and cozy.
So whether you’re baking for family, friends or coworkers; these cookies are a guaranteed hit and a new holiday tradition in the making. 🍊
