Description
Sweet memories dance through Slice and Bake Cranberry Orange Cookies, blending zesty citrus with tart berries in a delightful holiday treat. Crisp edges and festive flavors invite bakers to create delicious moments of pure joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (319g) all-purpose flour
- 16 tablespoons (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (149g) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries, packed
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from 2/3 oranges)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar for sprinkling on cookies (optional)
- Extra orange zest for sprinkling on cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Utilize a mixer to cream butter, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, and orange zest until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 1½ minutes.
- Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, blending until the dough achieves a smooth consistency.
- Slowly integrate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Delicately fold chopped dried cranberries throughout the dough, creating an even spread of fruit.
- Shape the dough into a log on parchment paper, wrapping it tightly and refrigerating for at least 2 hours or overnight to enhance flavor development and facilitate easier slicing.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F when ready to bake.
- Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and slice into uniform rounds, approximately ¼-inch thick.
- Arrange cookie slices on a lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for minimal spreading.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges turn a delicate golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours before slicing to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
- Use a sharp knife to create clean, even slices that will ensure uniform baking and a professional appearance.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for better structure and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 6.3 g
- Sodium: 68 mg
- Fat: 7.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg