Description
Delightful Cranberry Orange Cookies blend zesty citrus with tart berries in a perfect holiday treat. Festive flavors dance across each buttery, crumbly bite, inviting you to savor the warmth of seasonal baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Sweeteners:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons (1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon) orange peel (fresh, zested)
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency with a creamy texture, approximately 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
- Introduce vanilla extract, eggs, and vibrant orange zest into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly while ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated and bowl sides are scraped clean.
- Gradually fold in flour, salt, and baking powder, gently mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overworking the mixture, maintaining a soft and pliable texture.
- Partition the dough into two symmetrical rounds, enveloping each in plastic wrap to create a secure seal, then refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance structural integrity and facilitate easier handling.
- After chilling, unwrap the dough and prepare a lightly floured surface for rolling out the cookie rounds with precision and care.
- Gently fold dried cranberries into the chilled dough, distributing them evenly throughout to ensure a balanced flavor profile in each cookie.
- Roll out the dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness, using cookie cutters or a knife to create uniform shapes that will bake consistently.
- Transfer shaped cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them adequately to prevent merging during the baking process.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges develop a delicate golden-brown hue, indicating perfect doneness.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Zesting Technique: Roll orange on counter before zesting to release more oils and intensify citrus flavor, creating deeper aromatic notes in cookies.
- Butter Temperature: Allow butter to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before creaming, ensuring smoother integration and fluffier texture.
- Cranberry Preparation: Chop dried cranberries into smaller pieces to distribute evenly throughout cookie dough, preventing large clumps and ensuring consistent fruity bursts.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining similar texture and structure while making cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg