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Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
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Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies combine the bright zest of fresh orange and the sweet-tart chew of dried cranberries in a soft, chewy cookie perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with simple pantry staples, these festive cookies offer a perfect balance of flavor and texture, customizable to fit gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free needs, and ideal for gifting or enjoying with cozy drinks.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan adaptation)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg (or flaxseed egg for vegan adaptation)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 large fresh orange

Add-ins

  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or pumpkin seeds for nut-free option)

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Zest the orange carefully to avoid the bitter white pith. Measure out all ingredients so they’re ready for use.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute leavening and seasoning for balanced flavor and even baking.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating aeration essential for soft, chewy cookies.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and freshly grated orange zest until fully incorporated, infusing the dough with bright citrus aroma.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until blended. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
  6. Fold in Dried Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold in dried cranberries and optional chopped nuts or seeds, evenly distributing the flavorful bursts and crunchy texture.
  7. Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Use softened (not melted) butter for best creaming results.
  • Always use freshly grated orange zest for maximum flavor impact.
  • Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
  • Do not overbake; cookies will look slightly underdone but set as they cool.
  • Chilling dough for 30 minutes before baking can help create thicker cookies.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, cranberry orange cookies, holiday baking, gluten-free cookies, festive cookies, soft chewy cookies

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