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 since I got married. And the holidays are the only time I make so I look forward to them all year long.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Cookies

These Cranberry Orange Cookies are so simple to make!

They start with a pretty basic sugar cookie dough and then dried cranberries and fresh orange zest gets mixed into the dough. Before you bake them, you roll the dough into balls and roll the balls into a mixture of granulated sugar and orange zest.

Once they bake, the cookies themselves are soft and the outside gets a nice crunch from the sugar.

The cranberries and orange zest is just the perfect combination. The cookies are sweet and tart and they’re great for the holidays but they don’t scream holiday so you can make them any time of year!

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.

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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Yield: 36 cookies

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups 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.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101 Total Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 15mg Sodium: 62mg Carbohydrates: 16g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 10g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 1g