Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where holiday baking gets bright and festive. These Orange Cranberry Cookies are soft, chewy bites bursting with fresh orange zest, tangy cranberries, and a sparkly sugar coating that adds crunch. Perfect for cookie exchanges, afternoon tea, or gifting in holiday tins.

No-chill dough bakes up golden in under 15 minutes with vibrant color and unbeatable citrus-tart balance.

Why This Recipe Works

Orange zest rubbed into sugar releases maximum citrus oils for intense flavor
Chopped cranberries add juicy pops and natural pink flecks
Cornstarch keeps cookies soft and tender
Sugar coating creates sparkly, crunchy edges
Balanced sweetness lets tart cranberries shine

Ingredients & Prep

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1⅓ cups granulated sugar (divided)
2 tablespoons orange zest (plus more for coating)
2 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped and patted dry

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
Rub 1⅓ cups sugar with orange zest using fingertips until fragrant.
Beat butter and orange sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks and orange juice; mix well.
Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients.
Fold in chopped cranberries until evenly distributed.
For coating, mix ½ cup sugar with 1 teaspoon orange zest. Scoop 1½-tablespoon balls, roll in coating.
Place 2 inches apart on sheets. Bake 11-13 minutes until edges are golden. Cool 5 minutes on sheets.

Flavor Variations

Variation	Key Ingredient	Dietary Tag	Flavor Profile
White Chocolate	White chocolate chips	Sweet	Creamy contrast
Oatmeal Addition	Rolled oats	Chewy	Hearty texture
Dried Cranberry	Chopped dried cranberries	Chewy	Concentrated tart
Almond Glazed	Almond extract & glaze	Nutty	Warm, aromatic

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days. Freeze dough balls or baked cookies up to 3 months.

FAQs

Fresh cranberries too tart? Toss chopped cranberries in 1 tablespoon sugar before folding in.
Can I use dried cranberries? Yes, chop finely and reduce orange juice by 1 tablespoon.
Gluten-free? Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Conclusion

Orange Cranberry Cookies capture holiday cheer in every chewy, sparkly bite with perfect citrus-tart balance. Ideal for sharing seasonal sweetness. Find more festive bakes at dishfoody.com.

Orange Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

Orange Cranberry Cookies are soft, chewy holiday favorites bursting with fresh orange zest, tart cranberries, and warm citrus notes – perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or festive baking.

Author: ssam
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 32 mins
Yield: 28 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups (267g) granulated sugar
1 tbsp orange zest (from 1–2 oranges)
2 large egg yolks
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
Orange sugar coating: 1/2 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp orange zest

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In large bowl, beat softened butter, 1 1/3 cups sugar, and 1 tbsp orange zest until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
3. Add egg yolks and orange juice; beat until combined.
4. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in separate bowl. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
5. Gently fold in chopped cranberries.
6. Rub together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp orange zest for coating. Scoop 1.5 tbsp dough balls, roll in orange sugar, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
7. Bake 11-13 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes on sheet, then transfer to rack.

Notes

Fresh cranberries give best tart pop; chop coarsely to avoid sogginess.
No chilling required – bake immediately for soft centers.
For iced version, whisk powdered sugar with orange juice.
Store airtight up to 5 days or freeze dough balls for fresh baking anytime.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: orange cranberry cookies, holiday cookies, fresh cranberry cookies, citrus cookies