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
More Orange Cookie Recipes
- White Chocolate Orange Cookies
- Gluten Free Iced Orange Cookies
- Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Ambrosia Macaroons
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Cranberry Orange Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies:
For the rolling sugar:
Instructions
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 
Sarah says
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 =-.
Jenny says
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 =-.
Joy says
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 =-.
Chaya says
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 =-.
Crystal says
These look delicious – the orange zest gives them a lovely appearance. Will give them a try.
Trisha says
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 =-.
Jean Wilcoxson says
Heaven in your mouth!
vonda summers says
Does this recipe only make one dozen? Sorry if this is a dumb question….this will be my first time baking cookies from scratch.
amanda says
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!
Amanda says
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.
amanda says
aww, thanks! I’m glad you commented – I’d forgotten abut these!
Karen says
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 :)
Peggy says
Getting ready to make these for the second time. They’re so good. Light and slightly sweet. Just loved them!
andi says
Have made these cookies twice and love them I have posted on the wednesday baker today thank you for sharing a great cookie…………….Andi
Cidney says
Just curious, fresh or dried zest? And if fresh, about how many oranges would that take?
LMA says
Made these today. Although I love the flavor combination, I find them to be a little on the dry side.
Midge says
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.
Catina says
I made these and added white chocolate chips, they were awesome!!!
Midge says
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!
amanda says
Yay! So happy to hear that! They are still one of my favorites! :)
Renee says
Just made these. Yummy!!!!!
Margaret says
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.
Allyson says
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.
Kathy says
Mine got crunchy after they cooled…..did I bake them too long?
amanda says
Yeah, probably a bit overbaked. They should be pretty soft.
Lita says
Would this recipe work with dried zest? Thanks.
amanda says
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!
Michelle says
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?
Crystal says
Mine did the same thing so I added a lil bit of water didn’t hurt it a bit. :-)
Michelle says
Sorry I didn’t realize 3/4 cup butter is equal to 1.5sticks. Haha
amanda says
I hope they turn out well! These are always a favorite! :)
Whitney says
just ate one from my first batch. Hands down the best cookie I’ve ever made or eaten.
Teri says
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.
vicky says
these look delicious! can you freeze the dough?
Crystal says
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!
Jocelyn says
These cookies are delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Sapna says
OMG looks SO good!
Joan.walker says
Really good also with lemon zest
Joyce Powell says
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.
Kathy says
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.
Denelle says
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.
Amber says
Could I use fresh frozen cranberries?
amanda says
I don’t think so. I imagine they’d have too much liquid in them.
Pat Vause says
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.
Laura says
I’m wondering about the dried cranberries – can I use a product like craisins?
Donna says
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!
amanda says
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Donna says
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.
amanda says
I love the white chocolate chips idea!
Bonnie says
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. 😊
Concetta Chambers says
Hi can you freeze the cookies after you make them ? Thank You Merry Christmas 🎄
Connie
rahul says
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.
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Rahul says
Does this recipe only make half dozen? Sorry if this is a dumb question….this will be my first time baking cookies
from scratch.