Description

These delightful cranberry orange cookies combine the tangy zest and juice of fresh oranges with tart dried cranberries and optional crunchy walnuts. Soft and chewy with a lightly golden edge, these cookies make a perfect seasonal treat or gift, balancing sweetness with bright citrus notes and a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 large orange
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Dry Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-Ins

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step aerates the dough for tender cookies.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain smooth texture. Then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice until completely combined to infuse bright citrus flavor throughout the dough.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until they are incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and light.
Add Cranberries and Walnuts: Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts (if using) carefully to disperse them evenly without breaking the pieces.
Form Cookies: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them well apart to allow for spreading while baking.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookie edges should be lightly golden while centers may still look slightly underbaked; they will firm up as they cool.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set perfectly before serving.

Notes

For added texture and flavor, walnuts are optional but highly recommended.
Do not overmix the dough after adding the flour to prevent tough cookies.
Using fresh orange juice and zest provides the most vibrant citrus flavor.
If you prefer softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow to cool on the baking sheet for the best results.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry orange cookies, holiday cookies, citrus cookies, chewy cookies, festive cookies, nut cookies