These Cranberry Orange Cookies are like little bites of Christmas joy – tender, chewy, and bursting with festive flavors that’ll have your whole kitchen smelling absolutely divine!

I first discovered this winning flavor combo when I was experimenting with leftover cranberries after Thanksgiving. What started as a “let’s see what happens” moment turned into my most requested holiday cookie recipe. The way the sweet dough balances the tartness of dried cranberries while that fresh orange zest adds a bright, citrusy pop… it’s pure holiday magic in every bite!

Key Takeaways

• Perfect holiday flavor combination – tart cranberries and bright orange zest create a festive taste that screams Christmas
• Soft and chewy texture – these cookies stay tender for days and have the most delightful bite
• Make-ahead friendly – dough can be prepared in advance and frozen for up to 3 months
• Customizable recipe – easily adaptable for dietary restrictions or personal preferences
• Crowd-pleasing treat – ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or gift-giving

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Orange Cookies

✨ Effortlessly festive – No complicated techniques required, but the flavor combination feels special and holiday-worthy

✨ Perfectly balanced flavors – The tartness of cranberries meets the brightness of fresh orange zest in sweet, tender cookie dough

✨ Incredibly versatile – Add white chocolate chips, swap in different dried fruits, or make them gluten-free with simple substitutions

✨ Ideal for sharing – These cookies travel well and make beautiful gifts when packaged in festive tins or bags

Ingredient Highlights & Notes

The beauty of these cookies lies in their simplicity – just a handful of pantry staples transformed into something truly special. The key is using fresh orange zest (never the bottled stuff!) and good-quality dried cranberries that still have some chewiness to them.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (European-style butter adds extra richness)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar (don’t skip the packing – it adds moisture)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp fresh orange zest (about 2 medium oranges)
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1½ cups dried cranberries (look for ones that aren’t overly sweet)
• ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional, but highly recommended)

For optional orange glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest

Equipment & Tools

• Stand mixer or hand mixer – for creaming butter and sugars
• Large mixing bowls (2-3 bowls)
• Microplane or fine grater – essential for getting fluffy orange zest
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon – for uniform cookies
• Baking sheets (2 sheets work best)
• Parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy
• Wire cooling racks

Instructions & Method

1. Prep your workspace (10 minutes)
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. Cream the butter and sugars (3-4 minutes)
In a large bowl, use your mixer to cream the softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. This step is crucial – don’t rush it! The mixture should look pale and airy.

3. Add wet ingredients (2 minutes)
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until just combined. Pro tip: Room temperature eggs incorporate much more easily!

4. Combine dry and wet ingredients (1-2 minutes)
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix – you want tender cookies, not tough ones!

5. Fold in the good stuff (1 minute)
Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips (if using) with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. The dough should look colorful and festive!

6. Shape and bake (12-15 minutes per batch)
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked.

7. Cool properly (15 minutes)
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. This prevents them from breaking apart while still warm.

Tips, Variations & Substitutions

Flavor Variations

 

• Lemon cranberry: Swap orange zest for lemon zest and add a touch of lemon juice
• Spiced version: Add ½ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg to the dry ingredients
• Tropical twist: Use dried pineapple and coconut flakes instead of cranberries

 

Dietary Substitutions

 

• Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
• Dairy-free: Use vegan butter (make sure it’s suitable for baking)
• Less sweet: Reduce granulated sugar by ¼ cup

 

Troubleshooting Tips

 

• Cookies spreading too much? Chill your dough for 30 minutes before baking
• Too dry? Don’t overbake – they continue cooking on the hot pan after removal
• Want chewier cookies? Slightly underbake and let them finish cooking on the pan

 

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are absolutely delicious on their own, but here are some delightful ways to serve them:

With beverages: Pair with hot cocoa, spiced chai, or a glass of cold milk
Coffee companion: They’re perfect alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea
Ice cream sandwich: Use two cookies to sandwich vanilla or cinnamon ice cream
Gift presentation: Package in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons

Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating

Storage

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
• Refrigerator: Keep fresh for up to 2 weeks in sealed container
• Freezer: Baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months

Make-Ahead Options

• Cookie dough: Scoop dough balls and freeze on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags (bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes)
• Dry ingredients: Pre-mix flour, baking soda, and salt up to 1 month ahead
• Zest prep: Orange zest can be prepared and frozen in small portions

Reheating Tips

• Warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture
• For single servings, 10-15 seconds in the microwave works perfectly

Nutrition Information

Per cookie (makes approximately 36 cookies):

• Calories: 145
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fat: 6g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: Fresh cranberries will work, but chop them roughly and toss with a tablespoon of flour first. They’ll add more tartness and moisture to the cookies.

Q: My cookies turned out too soft/too crispy. What happened?
A: Soft cookies usually mean underbaking or too much moisture. Crispy cookies often result from overbaking or too much flour. Oven temperatures can vary, so adjust timing accordingly!

Q: Can I make these without a mixer?
A: Absolutely! Just make sure your butter is very soft, and use a wooden spoon to cream it with the sugars. It’ll take a bit more elbow grease, but the results will be just as delicious.

Q: How do I know when they’re perfectly baked?
A: Look for lightly golden edges while the centers still appear slightly underbaked. They’ll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.

Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Yes! This recipe doubles beautifully. Just make sure you have enough mixing bowl space and baking sheets to accommodate the larger batch.

Conclusion

These Cranberry Orange Cookies truly capture the essence of the holiday season in every single bite. The combination of tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and tender cookie dough creates something that’s both comforting and festive – exactly what you want during the holidays!

What I love most about this recipe is how it fills your kitchen with the most incredible aroma while baking. It’s like having a holiday candle that you can actually eat! Plus, they’re forgiving enough for beginner bakers but special enough to impress at any holiday gathering.

Ready to get baking? Start by gathering your ingredients and preheating that oven. In less than an hour, you’ll have a batch of these gorgeous, festive cookies ready to share (or keep all to yourself – I won’t judge!). Don’t forget to make a double batch – trust me, they disappear faster than you’d expect!