• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Instant Pot Recipe Guide! download now!

FREE 5 Instant Pot Meals in 5 Minutes E Course!


Thank you for subscribing!


Formerly Your Homebased Mom

  • About
  • Latest
  • Contact
NEW! Watch on youtube!

Your Homebased Mom

Leigh Anne Wilkes

  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Dessert
        • Bars and Brownies
        • Cake
        • Candy and Treats
        • Cookies
        • Ice Cream
        • Pie
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Burgers
      • Sauces and Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Soup
    • Cooking Method
      • Crock Pot
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pan
      • Oven
      • Quick and Easy
      • Recipes for Two
    • Ingredients
      • Beef
      • Eggs
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Poultry
        • Chicken
        • Turkey
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
      • Gluten Free
    • Cuisine
      • American
      • Asian
      • European
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • Holiday
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • 4th of July
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
  • Travel
    • Europe
    • United States
      • New York City
      • Portland
    • What To Wear
  • Life
    • Home
    • Party Ideas
    • Empty Nesters
    • Church
      • Activity Day
      • Relief Society
    • Organizational Tips
    • Recommended Reads
  • New? Start Here
  • Subscribe for weekly recipes

    FREE 5 Instant Pot Meals in 5 Minutes E Course!


    Thank you for subscribing!


Recipe Finder

  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Burgers
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
  • Cooking Method
    • Oven
    • Crock Pot
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • One Pan
    • Quick and Easy
  • Ingredients
    • Beef
    • Eggs
    • Pasta
    • Pork
    • Poultry
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten Free
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • Asian
    • European
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican
  • Holiday
    • New Year’s Eve
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Cookies / Cranberry Orange Cookies

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Jump to Recipe Print Video Share
Share on:
By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 12/08/19Updated: 3/03/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

cranberry orange cookies on a rack

These Cranberry Orange Cookies are perfect for holiday baking or anytime baking.  The flavor combo is perfection and thanks to a sugary coating they look so pretty on your cookie plate.

Cranberry Orange Cookies on a cooling rack

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone it is time to get serious about Christmas. One of my favorite holiday activities is our Annual Cookie Baking Day.  I spend a lot of time coming up with just the right menu of cookies.  Being sure flavors are balanced, can’t have all chocolate cookies.  And there is always a list of our favorites like Lemon Drops and Snowballs.

Each year I always add a few new recipes to the list too. The experimenting is the best part. If you are looking for a new cookie to add to your holiday baking these cranberry orange cookies should be included!

stack of cranberry orange cookies

Cranberry + Orange = Perfect Combination

I love the combination of orange and cranberry.  Not only is it delicious in a cranberry sauce but it also makes a lovely cookie! These cookies are light and crunchy with a light, delicious sweet citrus flavor.  And the orange sugar coating on the outside gives it that extra pop of orange and makes them sparkle. They look so pretty on a cookie plate!

pile of cookies on a cooking rack

How to Make Orange Cranberry Cookies

  • Cream your sugar, butter and egg together.
  • Add in your dry ingredients.  The trick to a tender cookie is to not overmix your batter.  Only mix the dough enough to incorporate the ingredients.  Always use your mixer on medium low so you don’t over mix. 
  • Add in your orange zest and craisinets when about half the flour is incorporated, this helps prevent overmixing. 
  • Form your dough into round balls, about the size of a golf ball.
  • Mix together your orange sugar and roll each ball of dough into the sugar, coating completely.
rolling orange cranberry cookies in orange sugar
  • Place the balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Take a drinking glass and gently push down the ball of dough.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 7-10 minutes until edges are just slightly golden brown.
Orange Cranberry COokies being flattened

Cookie Baking Tips

  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies.
  • Don’t over mix your cookies. Mix just until dry ingredients are incorporated. Over mixing causes tough cookies.
  • If using a mixer, always use on a medium speed and pulse just until ingredients are mixed together.
  • Bake just until edges start to turn golden brown. Over baking can dry cookies out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze cookies?

Yes!  These cookies freeze wonderfully. You can read all my tips for successfully freezing cookies here. They will keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead?

I have only ever used dried cranberries but you should be able to substitute chopped fresh cranberries just fine. I would use one cup of fresh, chopped cranberries.

Do cranberry orange cookies need to be refrigerated?

These cookies be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 -3 days. To extend the life, keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

If you are looking for a pretty and delicious Christmas cookie, you’ve found it.  These orange cookies are a favorite holiday cookie I make year after year along with these Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies and Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies.   I have dozens of great cookie recipes that are perfect for the holidays.

Other Favorite Cranberry Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
  • Cranberry Salsa
  • Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
  • Crockpot Cranberry Pork
  • Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

4.74 from 73 votes
Cranberry Orange Cookies on a cooling rack

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
These Cranberry Orange Cookies are perfect for holiday baking or anytime baking.  The flavor combo is perfection and thanks to a sugary coating they look so pretty on your cookie plate.

serves: 24 cookies
Prep:10 minutes
Cook:10 minutes
Total:20 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

Cookie:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries chopped
  • 1 Tbsp freshly grated orange peel

Sugar Mixture:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp freshly grated orange peel

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine all sugar mixture ingredients in small bowl.
  • Stir until well mixed. Set aside

Cookies:

  • Combine 1 cup sugar, butter and egg in a bowl. Beat until just combined and creamy.
  • Reduce speed and add flour, baking powder and baking soda.
  • Beat until half way combined and then add in orange peel and craisnets. Mix until just combined.
  • Shape cookies into one inch balls and roll in sugar mixture.
  • Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 7 – 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
  • Do not over bake.
  • Cool 1 minute and remove from cookie sheet.

Tips & Notes:

I have only ever used dried cranberries but you can substitute chopped fresh cranberries just fine. I would use one cup of fresh, chopped cranberries.
  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies.
  • Don’t over mix your cookies. Mix just until dry ingredients are incorporated. Over mixing causes tough cookies.
  • If using a mixer, always use on a medium speed and pulse just until ingredients are mixed together.
  • Bake just until edges start to turn golden brown. Over baking can dry cookies out.
 

Recommended Products

Sheet Pan
Parchment Paper
Measuring Cups

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 142kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 6g (9%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Cholesterol: 22mg (7%) Sodium: 67mg (3%) Potassium: 46mg (1%) Sugar: 12g (13%) Vitamin A: 185IU (4%) Vitamin C: 0.4mg Calcium: 18mg (2%) Iron: 0.6mg (3%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Cranberry Orange Cookies on a cooling rack
Did you make this?I love seeing what you made. Be sure to share a picture and tag @yourhomebasedmom on social media!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating

Originally posted November 29, 2011

Previous Post
Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus
Next Post
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this? Rate this recipe:




  1. AJ says

    Posted on 1/2 at 6:31 am

    Loved the citrus flavor. I used 1 cup of fresh cranberries (rough chopped) which made them really pretty too. Great way to break up the chocolate items on cookie gift trays.

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Seasonal Posts

overhead shot of chocolate fondue and dippers

Chocolate Fondue Recipe

Raspberry Pavlova

spoonful of chocolate lava cake

Chocolate Lava Cake for Two {or more}

red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Most Popular Posts

texas sheet cake for two in a baking pan

Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two {Texas Sheet Cake}

Crock Pot 5 ingredient Pork Roast sliced

Crock Pot Pork Roast

Herb Rice

baked riblets

Easy Oven Baked Riblets

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Trending Now

overhead shot of cinnamon rolls

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

plate of smashed potatoes and a fork

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

overhead shot of bowl of almond chicken

Almond Chicken

baked riblets

Easy Oven Baked Riblets

No knead bread in a pan

Instant Pot Bread

Tomato tart pieces

Easy Tomato Tart

spoon full of mac and cheese

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Almond Torte

  • Crock Pot
  • Instant Pot
  • Chicken
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Bread
  • Salad
  • Dessert

Order my Cookbook, Holiday Slow Cooker!

Buy Now!
Back to Top
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Contact
© 2013–2023 Leigh Anne Wilkes Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled