Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Why Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

The holiday season is a perfect time for baking and enjoying delicious cookies. Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies are a wonderful treat that combines the tartness of cranberries with the fresh zest of orange. These cookies bring a special touch to your holiday gatherings, making them a meaningful addition to any celebration. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family, or as a sweet gift for neighbors. The soft, chewy texture and the creamy white chocolate chips make these cookies irresistible.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with a delightful aroma, reminding you of holiday cheer. Not only are they tasty, but they are also simple to make, which is great for beginner bakers or those who want to whip up a quick treat. There’s nothing quite like a home-baked cookie, and adding cranberries and orange zest makes them unique and festive. Whether enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or shared at a holiday party, these cookies are sure to bring joy and warmth to anyone who tries them.

How to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

To create Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies, you don’t need advanced baking skills or fancy kitchen equipment. What you do need is fresh ingredients, your favorite mixing bowls, and a little bit of time. This process is broken down into easy steps that guide you through the making of these delicious cookies.

Ingredients

1. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – This is the base of your cookies, providing a rich flavor and nice texture.
2. 1 cup granulated sugar – This will add sweetness and help your cookies brown nicely.
3. 1 cup brown sugar, packed – Brown sugar not only adds sweetness but also gives the cookies a moister texture thanks to its molasses content.
4. 2 large eggs – Eggs help bind the ingredients together and give the cookies structure.
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
6. 3 cups all-purpose flour – This is the primary dry ingredient, giving the cookies their bulk.
7. 1 teaspoon baking soda – This will help the cookies rise and develop a nice texture.
8. 1/2 teaspoon salt – A small amount of salt balances the sweetness of the sugars.
9. 1 cup dried cranberries – These provide a tart burst of flavor in each bite.
10. 1 orange, zested – The zest adds a fresh, citrusy aroma and taste that complements the cranberries.
11. 1 cup white chocolate chips – These sweet morsels make the cookies extra indulgent and creamy.

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and turn out perfectly.

2. Cream the Butters and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This may take about 3 to 5 minutes with a hand mixer. The creamy texture is key to achieving soft cookies.

3. Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Make sure to mix well after each egg is added. Then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. This step adds moisture and flavor to your cookie dough.

4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the flour.

5. Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Do this carefully to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet ingredients.

6. Add the Fun Ingredients: Fold in the dried cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate chips. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently mix them in, being careful not to break the cranberries.

7. Prepare the Baking Sheets: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Be sure to leave some space between each spoonful to allow the cookies to spread as they bake.

8. Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn lightly golden while the center remains soft. This will ensure they are chewy and delicious.

9. Cool the Cookies: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. This step helps them set and makes sure they don’t get soggy.

How to Serve Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Serving your Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies can be as simple or as fancy as you wish. For a casual treat, serve these cookies on a large platter for family and friends to enjoy. You can also stack them in a decorative tin for a lovely gift.

Pair your cookies with a warm drink like hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. The sweet flavors of the cookies contrast beautifully with a warm beverage, enhancing the experience. If you’re hosting guests, consider serving them as part of a dessert spread alongside other holiday treats. They also make a delightful addition to cookie boxes, perfect for giving as gifts during the festive season.

How to Store Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh and delicious, store them properly. Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container. You can layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Store the cookies at room temperature, where they should stay fresh for up to one week.

If you want to keep them for a longer time, you can freeze the cookies. First, lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can last for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.

Tips to Make Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

1. Proper Measuring: Measure your flour accurately. Too much flour can result in dry cookies. Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.

2. Softened Butter: Make sure the butter is softened but not melted. Softened butter creates the ideal texture when creaming with sugars.

3. Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft, chilling it for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator can help. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

4. Enjoy Vanilla: For a deeper flavor, try using fresh vanilla bean instead of extract, or even a vanilla bean paste. It can elevate the taste even more.

5. Experiment with Fruit: If you want, try swapping cranberries for other dried fruits like cherries or apricots. Just be aware that this may change the flavor.

Variation

You can create delicious variations of Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies! Here are a few ideas:

• Nuts: Add 1 cup of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for extra crunch and flavor.

• Oatmeal: Replace 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of rolled oats for a chewy oatmeal texture.

• Spices: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry mixture for a warm, spiced flavor that pairs well with the holidays.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries are much more tart than dried cranberries and can make your cookies too sour. If you want to use fresh cranberries, consider adding more sugar to balance the flavor.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Prepare the dough, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking.

3. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure the other ingredients are also certified gluten-free.

Feel free to bake up a batch of these delightful Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies! You will love their flavor and texture, and they will be a welcome treat during the festive season. Enjoy baking!

Chewy Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies

Delicious cookies combining the tartness of cranberries and fresh orange zest, perfect for the holiday season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Provides a rich flavor and nice texture.
• 1 cup granulated sugar Adds sweetness and helps the cookies brown.
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed Adds moisture due to its molasses content.
• 2 large eggs Helps bind ingredients and gives structure.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances overall flavor.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour Primary dry ingredient.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda Helps cookies rise.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt Balances sweetness.
• 1 cup dried cranberries Provides a tart burst of flavor.
• 1 orange zested Adds a fresh, citrusy aroma.
• 1 cup white chocolate chips Makes cookies extra indulgent.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture without overmixing.
6. Fold in the dried cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate chips gently.
7. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between each.

Baking

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center remains soft.
2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.