Cranberry Orange Cookie Recipe

This cranberry orange cookie recipe doesn’t get enough credit, but they know exactly what they’re doing. You get that tart-sweet bite, a pop of citrus, and just enough flair to make it look like you put in more effort than you actually did. They’re the kind of cookies that casually steal the show at any potluck or holiday tray. Plus, they’re a solid excuse to bake something that doesn’t involve chocolate for once. If your cookies have been feeling a little boring lately, this combo fixes that fast.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg and 1 yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped, 2 teaspoons orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
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Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and orange zest until light and creamy.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and chopped blueberries. Stir with a spatula until a cohesive dough forms.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Prep and Portion

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and use a #20 scoop to portion the dough, spacing evenly.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Bake and Cool

Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

Variations and Substitutions

For a richer taste, mix white chocolate chips into the cookie batter. You can also enhance the cranberry and orange cookies with a drizzle of cream cheese or white chocolate glaze—or lean into the citrus theme with a lemon or orange glaze on top. For added crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans over the cookies or press them into granulated sugar before baking. To boost flavor, try using orange or lemon extract for more citrus brightness, or go with almond extract for a nutty twist. For a fun treat, turn the cooled cookies into cookie sandwiches by piping cream cheese frosting between two of them.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

How To Make the Best Cranberry Orange Cookies

Start with high-quality butter that’s fully softened to ensure a rich flavor and smooth texture in every bite. Always measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dry, crumbly cookies. When zesting the orange, only use the brightly colored part of the peel to avoid unwanted bitterness. Chill the dough before baking and use a cookie scoop to portion evenly—this step helps the cookies hold their shape and bake uniformly. Bake just until golden, then let them cool on the tray before moving, as they’ll be soft but finish setting up perfectly as they cool.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies