Description
Cranberry citrus delight cookies bring zesty Mediterranean sunshine to classic holiday baking. Sweet-tart orange and cranberry notes dance through buttery dough, promising festive warmth in each delightful bite perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Citrus Delight Cookies
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup (170 grams) butter, softened
- 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 grams) white sugar
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Activate the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), ensuring the interior is evenly heated for optimal cookie baking performance.
- Utilize an electric mixer to whip softened butter with white and brown sugars, transforming the mixture into a silky, aerated consistency that provides a luxurious foundation for the cookies.
- Introduce a fresh egg and pure vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, blending until the texture becomes light and uniform.
- Incorporate vibrant orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice, which will infuse the dough with bright, citrusy aromatics.
- In a separate vessel, meticulously combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt through a gentle whisking motion, creating a harmonious dry ingredient blend.
- Gradually merge the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring with delicate precision to prevent overworking the dough, which could compromise the cookie’s tenderness.
- Gently fold dried cranberries and roughly chopped pecans throughout the dough, ensuring an even distribution of these textural elements.
- Carefully deposit rounded dollops of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, maintaining consistent spacing between each cookie.
- Slide the sheets into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 8-10 minutes until the edges acquire a delicate golden hue.
- Transfer the freshly baked cookies to cooling racks, permitting them to rest and stabilize their structure.
- Craft a luminous glaze by whisking orange zest, orange juice, and confectioners’ sugar until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Elegantly drizzle the citrus glaze over the completely cooled cookies, creating an enticing final touch that enhances both visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Quick prep makes these cookies a breeze, with simple ingredients and easy mixing techniques that guarantee delicious results.
- Orange zest and juice infuse bright, tangy flavors that perfectly complement the sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans.
- Careful mixing prevents tough cookies – stir dry ingredients just until combined to keep the texture light and tender.
- Cooling on the baking sheet helps cookies set properly, ensuring a perfect soft-yet-crisp texture every time.
- Drizzling citrus glaze adds a stunning finishing touch that elevates these cookies from good to gourmet.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and enjoy for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg