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Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe

Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 6 reviews

These Best Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies combine the festive flavors of tart cranberries and zesty orange to create a delicious holiday treat. Soft yet slightly chewy, with a sweet orange icing drizzle, these cookies are perfect for sharing during Christmas gatherings or as a delightful homemade gift.

Ingredients

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Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups dried cranberries

Orange Icing

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/2 cup of brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of orange zest, mixing thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  2. Combine the Mixtures: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a uniform cookie dough forms.
  3. Add the Cranberries and Shape Cookies: Optionally chop the 2 cups of dried cranberries for easier incorporation. Fold the cranberries evenly into the cookie dough by hand. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing them well to allow spreading during baking.
  4. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks to cool completely.
  5. Prepare and Drizzle the Icing: While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by whisking together 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons orange juice, and 1/2 teaspoon orange zest until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies evenly.
  6. Harden the Icing and Store the Cookies: Allow the icing to set and harden completely at room temperature. To speed this process, place the iced cookies in the freezer for a short time. Store cookies in an airtight container once icing has hardened to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For a more intense orange flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest from an organic orange.
  • You can chop the dried cranberries to smaller pieces for easier mixing and better distribution in the dough.
  • Cookie sheets can be lined with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before icing to avoid melting the glaze.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, cranberry orange cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, baked cookies, orange zest cookies, dried cranberries

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/best-christmas-cranberry-orange-cookies-recipe/