Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
These festive cookies combine the sweet and tangy flavors of cranberries with the bright zest of oranges, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 unit egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour blend.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped Chop the cranberries into smaller pieces for better distribution.
- 1 unit Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped cranberries and orange zest.
Baking
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each one.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
These cookies are delightful on their own but can also be served with a warm beverage like hot chocolate or spiced tea. To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. For longer storage, freeze them layered with parchment paper in a freezer bag. For a nutty twist, add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.