Why You’ll Love This Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
These cookies mix tart cranberries with bright orange zest for a fresh holiday taste. The inside stays soft while the edges get a light chew. They look warm and festive, and they fill the kitchen with a sweet, citrus smell as they bake. You will find them easy to make and easy to share. If you like simple, tasty holiday treats, these cookies will become a go-to recipe.
I also like to keep a few other simple cookie recipes on hand for busy days, like an almond butter chocolate chip cookie recipe that bakes fast and needs no fuss: almond butter chocolate chip cookies.
introduction
This recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and one bright flavor note: orange zest. Dried cranberries add chewy pops and a holiday color. You can make the dough in one bowl and bake within 30 minutes. The cookies travel well and make good gifts in tins or bags. They stay soft for days if you store them right. This introduction will help you see how easy the full recipe is and what to expect from each step.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe when you want a cookie that is easy, festive, and crowd-pleasing. The dough is forgiving, so new bakers can follow it with confidence. The flavors fit winter holidays but also work for any time you want a citrus-fruit cookie. The recipe gives enough cookies to share at parties, but you can halve it if you want fewer. It also freezes well, which helps when you bake ahead.
What You Need for Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
You need basic tools and a few key tips to get the best result. Use a large mixing bowl and a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugars until smooth. You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a baking sheet, and a wire rack to cool the cookies. A small grater or zester makes fresh orange zest easy and bright. If you like exact sizes, use a tablespoon scoop or a small ice cream scoop to portion the dough evenly.
Here is a quick list of tools:
- Large bowl
- Mixer or a good spoon for creaming
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets (ungreased is fine)
- Wire cooling rack
- Zester or fine grater
How to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
The method is simple. Cream the butter and sugars first, add eggs and vanilla, then fold in dry ingredients. Gently stir in cranberries, orange zest, and optional nuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls on your baking sheet and bake until the edges turn a light gold. Cool the cookies on the sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool all the way. Below are the full ingredients and steps.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually blend this dry mixture into the creamed mixture.
- Fold in the cranberries, orange zest, and walnuts if using.
- Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Follow the steps in order and do not overbake. Watch the edges for light gold color to keep the centers soft.
Best Ways to Serve Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Serve these cookies at room temperature so the chew stays soft. Arrange them on a holiday platter with other small treats like chocolate-dipped pretzels or shortbread. They pair nicely with warm drinks — tea, coffee, or hot cocoa all work well. For a festive tray, add sprigs of fresh rosemary or orange slices for color.
If you want to try a different flavor pairing on a cookie tray, you might enjoy a soft apple and spice cookie in the fall, such as these apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies: apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies.
How to Store Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread or a damp paper towel on top of the cookies inside the container for extra softness; replace the bread or towel as it dries. You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, or warm them for a few seconds in a microwave to bring back some softness.
You can also freeze the cookie dough. Scoop dough onto a tray and freeze solid, then move the dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Easy Tips to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Use room-temperature butter and eggs so the dough mixes evenly and traps air for a good texture.
- Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling off. Too much flour makes cookies dry.
- Fresh orange zest gives a brighter flavor than bottled zest or extract. Zest only the orange peel, not the white pith.
- Do not overmix once you add the flour. Mix until just combined to keep cookies tender.
- For even cookies, use a tablespoon scoop or weigh the dough by weight for consistent sizes.
- Check the cookies a minute before the low end of the bake time. They should look set with slightly soft centers.
- If you like nuts, toast walnuts lightly for extra depth of flavor. Let them cool before folding into the dough.
Try These Variations of Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- White chocolate cranberry: Fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips instead of walnuts for a sweeter cookie.
- Orange glaze: Mix powdered sugar with a little orange juice and drizzle on cooled cookies for a glossy finish.
- Almond orange: Replace walnuts with 1/2 cup sliced almonds and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Zesty dark chocolate: Add 1/2 cup of chopped dark chocolate and 1 teaspoon extra orange zest for a richer cookie.
- Chewy oat version: Replace 1 cup of flour with 1 cup old-fashioned oats for texture and chew.
Common Questions About Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: Fresh cranberries have more moisture and will change the dough. If you use fresh, chop them small and pat them dry on paper towels. You may also need to bake a bit longer to remove extra moisture. Dried cranberries give the best chew and color.
Q: How do I make the cookies more orange-flavored?
A: Add an extra 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of orange zest, or stir in 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract. Use fresh zest for the best bright flavor.
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes. Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will stay nice.
Q: Do I have to use walnuts?
A: No. Walnuts are optional. You can leave them out or swap in pecans or almonds. For a nut-free cookie, skip nuts entirely.
Q: Can I bake larger cookies?
A: Yes. If you make larger cookies, increase the bake time by a few minutes and watch the edges. Larger cookies may bake 12–15 minutes depending on size.
Final Thoughts
These Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are simple, festive, and full of bright flavor. They make a great bake for holiday gatherings, gifts, or a cozy night at home. With basic tools and a short list of ingredients, you can make a batch and share warm cookies the same day. The dough is easy to handle, and the cookies freeze well if you want to bake ahead. Try one of the small variations to change the flavor, or keep the recipe as written for a timeless treat.
Conclusion
If you want another tested version of a soft and citrusy cranberry cookie, you can compare your results with the soft and chewy cranberry orange cookies recipe on King Arthur Baking for tips and a trusted variation.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather your ingredients and tools, preheat the oven, and start creaming the butter and sugars. These cookies are simple to make and bring a bright, cheery flavor to any holiday table. Have fun baking and sharing them with friends and family.
Print
Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These cookies mix tart cranberries with bright orange zest for a festive holiday treat. Soft in the center with chewy edges, they are perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually blend this dry mixture into the creamed mixture.
- Fold in the cranberries, orange zest, and walnuts if using.
- Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg