Cranberry Orange Cookies

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This cookie recipe can be used with both fresh or dried cranberries. Traditionally people use dried ones but for those who really love the taste of raw cranberry, the tart with the sweet, using fresh berries is the way to go.

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Recipe by Cranby

Servings

8-12

Bowls

Prep time

Minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Type

Orange/Cran

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roughly chop the fresh cranberries into smaller pieces. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the wet ingredients until light and fluffy.
Mix in zest.
In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to wet ingredients and stir well.
Fold in the chopped cranberries.
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Enjoy ✨

Notes

As mentioned above, dried cranberries are usually used in cookies because they’re sweeter and less watery than fresh ones. But if you want to try fresh cranberries, chop them finely and consider adding a bit more sugar to balance the tartness.
Zest is the outer, colorful part of the orange peel. Use a fine grater or zester, but avoid the white part underneath (pith), as it’s bitter.
Use room-temperature butter to cream with sugar for a fluffier cookie texture. Take butter out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before you start baking.

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Classic, Delicious Orange Cran Cookies

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More Helpful (Optional) Notes

2. Flavor Variations:

Add Nuts: You can add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra crunch.
White Chocolate: White chocolate chips or chunks complement the tartness of cranberries and enhance the sweetness.

3. Cookie Dough Tips:

Chilling the Dough: If the dough seems too soft, chill it for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.
Evenly Sized Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough evenly, ensuring all cookies bake uniformly.

4. Baking Tips:

Watch for Golden Edges: Cookies are done when the edges are just starting to turn golden, but the centers are still soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Cooling the Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking apart.

5. Storage Suggestions:

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then store them in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Just bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

6. Fun Facts:

Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America, and they’re often associated with Thanksgiving dishes.
Oranges were historically considered a luxury and are often associated with winter holidays in many cultures.

7. Experimenting with Sweeteners:

If you’re feeling adventurous, try swapping some sugar with honey or maple syrup for different flavor profiles. Keep in mind that liquid sweeteners will make the dough softer, so you may need to chill it longer.