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Fake Ginger

Dec 23, 2009

Cranberry Orange Cookies

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Cranberry Orange Cookies – sugar cookes filled with dried cranberries and orange zest, and rolled in sugar and orange zest before baking. They make great Christmas cookies!

Cranberry Orange Cookies - sugar cookes filled with dried cranberries and orange zest, and rolled in sugar and orange zest before baking. They make great Christmas cookies!

Today I’m sharing my most favorite Christmas cookie ever!

Okay, so it’s not really the kind of cookie you’d think about for Christmas.

Normally it’s snickerdoodles or decorated sugar cookies or Italian sugar cookies dipped in a glaze and covered in sprinkles.

But I have been making these Cranberry Orange Cookies every Christmas for years now. And the holidays are the only time I make so I look forward to them all year long.

Cranberry Orange Cookies - sugar cookes filled with dried cranberries and orange zest, and rolled in sugar and orange zest before baking. They make great Christmas cookies!

Ingredients

  • Salted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Egg
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Dried cranberries
  • Orange Zest

Instructions

  • Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy
  • Add egg and beat until combined
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking power, and baking soda
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until just combined
  • Fold in dried cranberries and orange zest
  • Chill dough
  • Make orange sugar by using your fingers to rub orange zest into sugar until combined and fragrant
  • Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the orange sugar
  • Bake 10 – 13 minutes or until lightly golden
  • Cool completely on wire racks before serving

Can You Freeze Cranberry Orange Cookies

Yes! You can freeze Cranberry Orange Cookies! Either the dough or the already baked cookies. 

You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it (like in preparation of the holidays). Either freeze it in a large disc or after you roll it into balls. If freezing single balls of dough, freeze on a baking sheet with an inch between each dough ball and once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag, making sure to squeeze all the air out of the bag.

The Cranberry Orange Cookies dough will be good for up to 3 months in the freezer. You can bake them from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time or let them defrost for several hours in the refrigerator before baking. 

To freeze already baked cookies, freeze them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once frozen, you can transfer to a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze as much air out as possible. 

Baked Cranberry Orange Cookies are fine in the freezer for up to 1 month. To defrost, either let the cookies defrost at room temperature until no longer frozen. 

How Long Are Cranberry Orange Cookies Good For?

These cookies are at their tastiest if enjoyed within 3 days of baking but will last up to a week in an airtight container.

Cranberry Orange Cookies - sugar cookes filled with dried cranberries and orange zest, and rolled in sugar and orange zest before baking. They make great Christmas cookies!

More Cranberry Cookie Recipes

  • Oatmeal, Cranberry, and White Chocolate Cookies 
  • Trail Mix Cookies 
  • Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

More Orange Cookie Recipes

  • White Chocolate Orange Cookies
  • Gluten Free Iced Orange Cookies 
  • Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies 
  • Ambrosia Macaroons

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You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for even more! 

Yield: 36 cookies

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Cranberry Orange Cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes

Ingredients

For the cookies:

  • 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

For the rolling sugar:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Using an electric mixer, mix butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in cranberries and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Chill dough while you make orange sugar.
  4. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the 2 together until everything is combined and mixture is fragrant.
  5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in orange sugar. Place on baking sheet and flatten slightly.
  6. Bake 10 - 13 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on wire racks.

Recommended Products

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  • Zester
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  • Stand Mixer
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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 62mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Amanda Livesay

 

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Cranberry Orange Cookies - I make these every Christmas! They are so delicious!

Filed Under: christmas cookies, cookie Tagged With: citrus, cookie, cranberries, holiday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    Dec 23, 2009 at 9:18 am

    I have really enjoyed all the cookie recipes you have posted. Such amazing things coming out of your kitchen.
    .-= Sarah´s last blog ..Simple, Yet Delicious =-.

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    Dec 23, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    I’m always looking for a recipe that is citrus-y and new – this seems to fit the bill. Great job on this cookie!
    .-= Jenny´s last blog ..Epic Failures: Fall 2009 =-.

    Reply
  3. Joy says

    Dec 24, 2009 at 5:18 am

    Yum- these cookies look amazing – I”m adding them to my bakelist for Boxing Day :) Great website by the way!! :)
    .-= Joy´s last blog ..Daring Bakers Challenge – A Gingerbread House =-.

    Reply
  4. Chaya says

    Dec 27, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    I am always on the look-out for cookies and cakes that my hubby will like and this one looks like a winner.
    .-= Chaya´s last blog ..He Did It By Himself Chicken =-.

    Reply
  5. Crystal says

    Dec 29, 2009 at 10:14 am

    These look delicious – the orange zest gives them a lovely appearance. Will give them a try.

    Reply
  6. Trisha says

    Oct 03, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    These look lovely … will have to give them a try once oranges come in season here.
    .-= Trisha´s last blog ..Week 1 of 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies- Cranberry Noels =-.

    Reply
  7. Jean Wilcoxson says

    Dec 23, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Heaven in your mouth!

    Reply
  8. vonda summers says

    Dec 13, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Does this recipe only make one dozen? Sorry if this is a dumb question….this will be my first time baking cookies from scratch.

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      I’m not really sure (I really should’ve done a better job keeping track of all that!) but I wanna say it makes about 2 dozen. You picked a good recipe as your first from scratch one! This is definitely one of my favorite holiday cookies!

      Reply
  9. Amanda says

    Dec 02, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    Baked all day today for my Airmen’s annual cookie drive, and used three of your recipes including this one. Saved a couple for my husband, and he cannot get over how good these are (I quite agree). Also made the gingersnaps and salted chocolate peanut butter cookies. Both so good! Found your blog last year through Pinterest and I cannot tell you how many times I come back here. You are my online cookbook :) Love your blog.

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 03, 2013 at 6:16 am

      aww, thanks! I’m glad you commented – I’d forgotten abut these!

      Reply
  10. Karen says

    Dec 20, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    These were wonderful to make and eat, I gave them as gifts in a mason jar with a thread of Christmas ribbon over the lid, thank you for such a great recipe :)

    Reply
  11. Peggy says

    Feb 25, 2014 at 11:45 am

    Getting ready to make these for the second time. They’re so good. Light and slightly sweet. Just loved them!

    Reply
  12. andi says

    Dec 07, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    Have made these cookies twice and love them I have posted on the wednesday baker today thank you for sharing a great cookie…………….Andi

    Reply
  13. Cidney says

    Dec 14, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Just curious, fresh or dried zest? And if fresh, about how many oranges would that take?

    Reply
  14. LMA says

    Dec 17, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Made these today. Although I love the flavor combination, I find them to be a little on the dry side.

    Reply
    • Midge says

      Jan 05, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      Hmmm? Mine weren’t dry at all. Did you love the flavor enough to try again? I took mine out of the oven even though they appeared they might be underdone (browned but soft in center) but when cooled they were perfect.

      Reply
  15. Catina says

    Dec 18, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    I made these and added white chocolate chips, they were awesome!!!

    Reply
  16. Midge says

    Jan 05, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    These are REALLY, REALLY delicious! I was searching for recipies to use up some oranges and came upon this recipe. Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. Yummy!

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Jan 05, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      Yay! So happy to hear that! They are still one of my favorites! :)

      Reply
  17. Renee says

    Apr 26, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Just made these. Yummy!!!!!

    Reply
  18. Margaret says

    Jun 25, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    Have made these 3 times — once at Christmas and 2 times to take to the office. They are wonderful! The girls at work only have one complaint — they are addicting. Definitely a recipe that I will keep on hand.

    Reply
  19. Allyson says

    Dec 01, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    made these 3 years running. Delightful crispy edge tender center cookie. A beautiful change of color and flavor for variety on your cookie table. I bake 18 types of cookies each year for 3 parties and these are always an unexpected surprise.

    Reply
  20. Kathy says

    Dec 02, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Mine got crunchy after they cooled…..did I bake them too long?

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 05, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      Yeah, probably a bit overbaked. They should be pretty soft.

      Reply
  21. Lita says

    Dec 05, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Would this recipe work with dried zest? Thanks.

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 05, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      I’m really not sure – I’ve never worked with dried zest. Can you soak it in water to kind of plump it up? I wish I was more help!

      Reply
  22. Michelle says

    Dec 09, 2015 at 10:40 am

    I’m not sure I just made these and my dough is flakey and dry. Am I missing something? Looks like it needs a liquid more than just 1 egg? Any ideas?

    Reply
    • Crystal says

      Dec 31, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      Mine did the same thing so I added a lil bit of water didn’t hurt it a bit. :-)

      Reply
  23. Michelle says

    Dec 09, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Sorry I didn’t realize 3/4 cup butter is equal to 1.5sticks. Haha

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 09, 2015 at 11:21 am

      I hope they turn out well! These are always a favorite! :)

      Reply
  24. Whitney says

    Dec 13, 2015 at 6:13 am

    just ate one from my first batch. Hands down the best cookie I’ve ever made or eaten.

    Reply
  25. Teri says

    Dec 13, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I love these cookies. The thing I did differently was a I added a orange zest glaze. It added a nice touch to the last. I still need the sugar zest in addition to the glaze. Husband loves them! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  26. vicky says

    Dec 18, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    these look delicious! can you freeze the dough?

    Reply
  27. Crystal says

    Dec 31, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    I loved your cookie, I made it today and doubled the recipe for a New years party. I just tasted it and it’s light and fluffy and super yummy. The only thing I used different was mandarin oranges becuase its what I had. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  28. Jocelyn says

    Apr 15, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    These cookies are delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
  29. Sapna says

    Jun 26, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    OMG looks SO good!

    Reply
  30. Joan.walker says

    Nov 20, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    Really good also with lemon zest

    Reply
  31. Joyce Powell says

    Dec 03, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    Made the coonkies, found that my batter sticky, The cookies were very thin. I added a little four, made a big difference. Delicious, the family loves them.

    Reply
  32. Kathy says

    Dec 11, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Love these. I made them last year for Christmas and I’m making them now for this Christmas. I didn’t have any problems with this recipe at all.

    Reply
  33. Denelle says

    Dec 12, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    These turned out amazing! I made small bite size cookies and got roughly 50 per batch. They are light, fluffy, flavorful and DELICIOUS! I can’t wait to take them for my cookie exchange tomorrow.

    Reply
  34. Amber says

    Nov 25, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    Could I use fresh frozen cranberries?

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Nov 25, 2017 at 9:00 pm

      I don’t think so. I imagine they’d have too much liquid in them.

      Reply
  35. Pat Vause says

    Nov 30, 2017 at 5:29 am

    I made these using orange marmalade I. The dough instead of zest ( too lazy to go buy orange) and they turned our amazing and delish! Wish I could post A picture.

    Reply
  36. Laura says

    Dec 09, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    I’m wondering about the dried cranberries – can I use a product like craisins?

    Reply
  37. Donna says

    Dec 12, 2017 at 7:26 am

    Thank you so much for your recipe Amanda!
    I just bake them and they are truly delicious!
    I send you a big hug from The Netherlands!

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Dec 13, 2017 at 1:13 am

      Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  38. Donna says

    Mar 24, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    I have made these numerous times and they are delicious. Not heavily flavored which is what I like. Put white chocate chips in sounds like a great idea for a little extra punch. I usually get close to 3 dozen for a single recipe.

    Reply
    • amanda says

      Mar 24, 2018 at 10:05 pm

      I love the white chocolate chips idea!

      Reply
  39. Lee Sollitt says

    Jun 25, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    Wonderful cookies. My dried cranberries seem a little too dry so after chopping them I let them marinate in a bit of grand marnier So good. And it enhances the orange flavour.

    Reply
  40. Kathy says

    Jul 08, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    I just made these and AMAZING is the only word…. I added white chocolate chips, as someone else mentioned. Perfection in every bite. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
  41. Rita DeFelice says

    Nov 08, 2019 at 6:09 am

    I just made these for the first time and they are wonderful. Adding to my Christmas cookies this year. My husband loves them.

    For me, They are just a little sweet though. Could I cut the sugar to 3/4 cup. I really like rolling them in sugar and don’t want to cut that out.

    Your thoughts would be appreciated. If it would change consistency then I won’t change it.

    Thanks so much.

    Reply
  42. Gail says

    Nov 24, 2019 at 6:47 am

    Mine flattened out like a crape. I add about a tbsp more flour, chilled the dough, and turn the heat up to 360. Same results. Any suggestions? They are so tasty I would love to perfect mine.

    Reply
  43. Bonnie says

    Dec 10, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    I made these December 9, 2019. I added extra orange peel in the cookie and also pistachio nuts. This is a very good cookie recipe and I will definitely make it again. 😊

    Reply
  44. Concetta Chambers says

    Dec 16, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    Hi can you freeze the cookies after you make them ? Thank You Merry Christmas 🎄
    Connie

    Reply
  45. rahul says

    May 01, 2020 at 8:52 am

    Made the coonkies, found that my batter sticky, The cookies were very thin. I added a little four, made a big difference. Delicious, the family loves them.
    <a href="https://oprice.in/blog/&quot;

    Reply
  46. Rahul says

    May 01, 2020 at 8:54 am

    Does this recipe only make half dozen? Sorry if this is a dumb question….this will be my first time baking cookies
    from scratch.

    Reply

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Amanda Livesay
Hi, I'm Amanda! DFW food blogger, mom of boys, and crazy dog lady.
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