Best Ever Orange Cranberry Cookies
Soft and chewy, with pops of dried cranberries and fresh orange zest, these orange cranberry cookies are absolutely delicious! Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just enjoying a cozy weekend at home, this easy recipe walks you through each step to achieve bakery-style results right in your own kitchen.
Wholesome cooking is all about balance—using simple ingredients to create meals that taste amazing and truly support your well-being. I’m passionate about making that process easy and fun, and I’d love for you to join me over on Instagram where I share new recipes and inspiration every week.
Oh and by the way, I’m so glad you’re here!
ORANGE & CRANBERRY= A MATCH MADE IN COOKIE HEAVEN.
I am obviously a huge fan of any kind of orange and cranberry combination (see orange cranberry scones and orange cranberry sourdough bread).
I’m telling you though, as biased as I am when it comes to this flavor combination, these cookies are absolutely OUTSTANDING.
They are soft and chewy (think like a soft sugar cookie), with bits of dried cranberries sprinkled throughout. The orange zest adds a delicious flavor that complements the cranberries so well.
Let’s make them!
Quick Recipe Snapshot
TOTAL TIME: About 25 minutes prep and bake time. 1 hour chill time is highly recommended.
YIELD: About 24 cookies.
STORAGE: These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
BEST SERVED: Warm from the oven 🙂
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is a quick overview of a few essential ingredients needed for this recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list!
Tips for Preparing to Make This Recipe
- Chilling the Dough: I know, chilling the dough can sometimes be an annoyance. However, I pretty much always recommend for all of my cookie recipes. Chilling the dough creates a thick and chewy cookie.
- Baking: I always like to slightly underbake my cookies to obtain a chewier texture. I take them out of the oven when they are just barely starting to turn golden brown.
- Variations: White chocolate chips would be a delicious addition to this recipe!
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below!
How to Make Cranberry Orange Cookies
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until combined.
- Beat in the egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract until light (about 1 minute).
- Begin adding in the dry ingredients, mixing until thoroughly combined. Add in the chopped dried cranberries to the dough, keeping the mixer on low speed to mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Optional but highly recommended! Place the dough in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour and for up to 2 days.
- Once ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- Using a medium sized cookie scoop, scoop out 12 equal balls of cookie dough onto each prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for approximately 10-11 minutes. Take them out when they are just barely starting to turn golden brown.
- For best results, let them sit on the baking pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.
- Baked cookies will store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Recipe FAQs
Chilling the dough is optional but recommended. It helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and enhances the flavor. Chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour if you want thicker, chewier cookies.
Yes, you can, although I definitely recommend using dried cranberries if possible. Keep in mind fresh cranberries are much more tart and will add extra moisture to the dough.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
- Storage: These cookies store well at room temperature on the counter for up to 3 days, or an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you haven’t heard of the bread trick, definitely try it! Simply add a small slice of bread to your container to keep your cookies extra soft!
- Make Ahead: This dough can be made up to three days in advance. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Freezing Instructions: This cookie dough freezes beautifully! To freeze cookie dough, follow these instructions:
- Make cookie dough per recipe instructions.
- Using a cookie scoop or large spoon, scoop out balls of cookie dough and add them to a gallon sized freezer safe bag, making sure to store the bag laying flat in the freezer.
- Once you are ready to bake, you can pop the cookies straight from the freezer into the oven, or set out on the counter to thaw beforehand. If you are putting them straight in the oven from the freezer, you may need to adjust your baking time to allow the frozen dough extra time to bake.
Pin it For Later!
Orange Cranberry Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Soft and chewy, with pops of dried cranberries and fresh orange zest, these orange cranberry cookies are absolutely delicious! Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just enjoying a cozy weekend at home, this easy recipe walks you through each step to achieve bakery-style results right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter ((2 sticks))
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until combined.
- Beat in the egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract until light (about 1 minute).
- Begin adding in the dry ingredients, mixing until thoroughly combined. Add in the chopped dried cranberries to the dough, keeping the mixer on low speed to mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Optional but highly recommended! Place the dough in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour and for up to 2 days.
- Once ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- Using a medium sized cookie scoop, scoop out 12 equal balls of cookie dough onto each prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for approximately 10-11 minutes. Take them out when they are just barely starting to turn golden brown.
- For best results, let them sit on the baking pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.
- Baked cookies will store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Chilling the Dough: I know, chilling the dough can sometimes be an annoyance. However, I pretty much always recommend for all of my cookie recipes. Chilling the dough creates the perfect thick and chewy cookie.
- Baking: I always like to slightly underbake my cookies to obtain a chewier texture. I take them out of the oven when they are just barely starting to turn golden brown.
- Variations: White chocolate chips would be a delicious addition to this recipe!
- Storage: These cookies store well at room temperature on the counter for up to 3 days, or an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Instructions: Make cookie dough per recipe instructions, then scoop out balls of cookie dough and add them to a gallon sized freezer safe bag, making sure to store the bag laying flat in the freezer. Once you are ready to bake, you can pop the cookies straight from the freezer into the oven, or set out on the counter to thaw beforehand. If you are putting them straight in the oven from the freezer, you may need to adjust your baking time to allow the frozen dough extra time to bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert Recipes
- Cuisine: American
If you enjoyed this recipe for orange cranberry cookies, be sure to come back and leave a 5 star rating and a comment! Tag me on Instagram with your creations @ourhandcraftedhomeblog.
