Description
Soft and chewy orange cranberry cookies bursting with fresh citrus zest and sweet dried cranberries, with lightly golden edges and tender centers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium speed until light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined.
- Add the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest to the creamed butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until silky and smooth.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients with your mixer on low speed, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Gently fold in the dried cranberries using a rubber spatula until evenly dispersed throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, about 1.5 tablespoons each, and roll them into uniform balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are lightly golden brown while the centers remain pale and soft.
- Let the cookies rest on the warm baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
For maximum citrus intensity, rub the fresh orange zest directly into the granulated sugar before creaming it with the butter. Press 3 to 4 extra dried cranberries onto each dough ball before baking for a bakery-style presentation. For the chewiest texture, remove the cookies as soon as the edges show a hint of golden color and let them finish setting on the warm baking tray.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg