Celebrate the holidays with Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies—soft, buttery treats bursting with zesty orange and tart cranberry flavor. Each bite is bright, festive, and irresistibly delicious.
These cookies are simple to make, filled with cozy aromas, and perfect for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings. Their vibrant red and orange hues look beautiful on any dessert table and bring instant Christmas cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
These cookies are everything you want in a holiday dessert—easy, colorful, and full of flavor.
- Festive Flavor: Sweet citrus and tangy cranberries in perfect balance.
- Soft & Chewy: Buttery centers with lightly crisp edges.
- Easy to Make: No fancy tools or skills needed.
- Perfect for Gifting: Beautiful, fragrant, and long-lasting.
Once you bake them, these Cranberry Orange Cookies will become a new Christmas tradition.
What You’ll Need
Simple, festive ingredients make these Cranberry Orange Cookies shine:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Optional: ½ cup white chocolate chips
Use fresh orange zest and room-temperature butter for the best flavor and texture.
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Add egg, orange zest, and juice; mix well.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; fold into wet mix.
- Stir in cranberries (and chocolate if using).
- Scoop dough balls 2 inches apart on the sheet.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges turn golden.
- Cool on a rack—then enjoy that citrusy holiday aroma!
You Must Know
Before you start baking, here are a few quick tips to guarantee the best Cranberry Orange Cookies every time:
- Use room-temperature butter — soft, not melted. This ensures a perfect creamy texture when beating with sugar.
- Fresh orange zest is key. Bottled juice can’t match the bright citrus oils from fresh zest—it gives that signature Christmas flavor.
- Don’t over-mix. Once you add the flour, stir only until the dough comes together. Over-mixing can make cookies tough.
- Measure correctly. Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping to avoid dense cookies.
- Watch the bake time. They should look slightly underbaked in the center—this keeps them soft once cooled.
These little details make a big difference, turning good cookies into bakery-style perfection!
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Baking cookies is all about precision and patience. Follow these pro tips for flawless texture and flavor:
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm. It helps control spreading and gives you thicker, chewier cookies.
- Use parchment paper instead of greasing trays—this prevents burning and helps them bake evenly.
- Rotate baking sheets halfway through. Every oven has hot spots, and this trick ensures a consistent golden edge.
- Let them rest. Don’t rush the cooling process—letting cookies sit on the tray for a few minutes helps them set perfectly.
- Add a finishing touch. Sprinkle warm cookies with a little orange zest or drizzle lightly with melted white chocolate for a bakery-worthy look.
When baked with care, each cookie turns out buttery, soft, and bursting with citrus-cranberry flavor—the ultimate taste of Christmas joy!
Add Your Touch Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
The beauty of these Cranberry Orange Cookies is how easy they are to customize. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, try adding your own festive flair:
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt a few chips and drizzle over cooled cookies for an elegant holiday finish.
- Add Nuts: Chopped pecans, almonds, or pistachios add crunch and depth of flavor.
- Make It Frosted: Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice for a quick glaze.
- Play With Texture: Use half dried cranberries and half fresh for a mix of chewy and tart bites.
- Holiday Sparkle: Sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking for a frosted, snowy look.
A small personal twist can make these cookies your signature holiday treat—one your friends and family will ask for year after year.
Storing & Reheating
Keep your cookies fresh and flavorful with a few easy storage tricks:
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- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread inside to keep them soft.
- Freezer Friendly: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the oven for 3–4 minutes.
- Dough Storage: You can also freeze the dough balls—just bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
- Reheating Tip: To bring back that just-baked texture, microwave a cookie for 10 seconds or pop it in a warm oven briefly.
These cookies taste just as amazing the next day—perfect for gifting, prepping ahead, or snacking with hot cocoa by the tree.
Chef’s Helpful Tips for Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Even simple cookies can taste extraordinary with a few professional tricks:
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- Use real butter. Margarine changes the texture—real butter gives that rich, bakery-style flavor.
- Zest first, juice second. It’s easier to grate a whole orange before squeezing it.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough. Even 20 minutes makes cookies thicker and softer.
- Keep cookies uniform. Use a cookie scoop for even baking.
- Test one batch first. Every oven differs—bake a small test batch to find your perfect baking time.
- Add love to the presentation. Stack cookies in festive tins or wrap them in parchment with ribbon for gift-giving magic.
These small touches turn a simple holiday bake into something unforgettable.
FAQ for Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Yes—but chop them finely and pat dry first to prevent excess moisture.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead?
Absolutely! Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze in pre-scooped balls for later.
Q: Can I add other flavors?
Try a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a hint of vanilla extract for a cozy twist.
Conclusion
These Cranberry Orange Cookies capture everything we love about Christmas—warmth, color, and joy in every bite. With their buttery texture, citrusy aroma, and tangy-sweet balance, they’re the kind of treat that makes the holidays feel special.
Serve them at parties, pack them as gifts, or enjoy them fresh from the oven with a cup of coffee—they’ll bring smiles every time. Bake a batch, share the love, and make these cookies a part of your holiday tradition.
The Best Cranberry Orange Cookies for Your Christmas Cookie Tray
Description
Soft, buttery, and bursting with citrus and cranberry flavor — these Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are festive, easy to bake, and perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of cocoa.
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
Add egg, orange zest, and orange juice; mix well.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
Fold in cranberries (and white chocolate if using).
Scoop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden.
Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill dough for 20 minutes before baking.
Use fresh orange zest for the best flavor.
Add a light drizzle of melted white chocolate for a pretty, festive finish.