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Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
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Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies combine tart dried cranberries and fresh orange zest for a festive, soft-chewy cookie bursting with holiday flavors. These easy-to-make treats feature a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, ideal for holiday gatherings, gifting, or anytime winter indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (or dairy-free butter for vegan)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 fresh orange (about 1 tablespoon)

Add-ins

  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Gather and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Measure all ingredients, zest your orange, and prepare dried cranberries.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined to ensure uniform leavening and seasoning.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy to develop texture and caramel undertones.
  4. Add Egg, Vanilla, and Orange Zest: Beat in the egg, pure vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest until fully incorporated, releasing the signature citrus flavor.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid tough cookies.
  6. Fold in Cranberries and Optional White Chocolate: Gently fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips if using, for bursts of tartness and creamy sweetness.
  7. Scoop and Bake: Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
  8. Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to firm up while staying chewy inside.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming and optimal texture.
  • Zest your orange before juicing to maximize flavor.
  • Remove cookies when edges turn golden but centers are still slightly underdone for chewy results.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  • Customize with nuts, spices, or different chocolate to personalize the cookies.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, cranberry cookies, orange zest cookies, holiday baking, gluten-free cookies, festive cookies, white chocolate, chewy cookies, winter treats

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/christmas-cranberry-orange-cookies/