Why Make This Recipe
Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are perfect for the holiday season. Their sweet and tart flavors bring joy and warmth to your celebrations. The combination of dried cranberries and white chocolate chips creates a delightful taste. Plus, the hint of orange zest adds a refreshing twist. These cookies are not only delicious but also easy to make, making them a great treat for family gatherings or as gifts.
How to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and orange juice.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the cranberries, white chocolate chips, and orange zest.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
These cookies are best served warm or at room temperature. You can enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. They also make a lovely addition to any holiday dessert table. Consider placing them in a decorative box or bag to share with friends and family.
How to Store Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay good for about one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies. Just make sure to place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper.
Tips to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened, but not melted, for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour, as this can make the cookies tough.
- If you like a stronger orange flavor, add a bit more zest or juice.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or other dried fruits if you wish.
Variation
You can easily swap out the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips. For a nutty flavor, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Fresh cranberries are too tart and have more moisture, so it’s best to stick with dried cranberries for this recipe.
2. How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden. They may look slightly soft in the center, but they will firm up as they cool.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it?
Yes! You can make the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for a bit before baking.
Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies
Deliciously chewy cookies featuring dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a hint of orange zest, perfect for the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and orange juice.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the cranberries, white chocolate chips, and orange zest.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For stronger orange flavor, add more zest or juice. Store in an airtight container for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cookies, cranberry, orange, holiday, dessert