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Soft and Chewy Cranberry Orange Cookies with Zesty Glaze

A stack of four freshly baked cranberry orange cookies drizzled with white glaze, sitting on a white plate near a window.
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Make these soft and chewy cranberry orange cookies for a festive treat. They combine tart dried cranberries with bright orange zest and are finished with a simple citrus glaze. This recipe is straightforward for holiday baking.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
  • For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
  • For the Glaze: 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and the orange zest until just combined. Do not overmix at this stage.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
  5. Gently fold in the dried cranberries using a spatula. You want the mix to stay soft.
  6. Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or two spoons, leaving about 2 inches between mounds. Make sure the mounds are tall for a thicker cookie.
  7. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers should still look slightly soft. These are your soft baked cookies.
  8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Add more juice, one teaspoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
  10. Once the cookies are fully cool, drizzle the zesty citrus glaze over the tops. Let the glaze set before serving or storing your holiday cookies.

Notes

  • For extra bright flavor, use a microplane to get only the orange zest, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
  • If you prefer a less sweet cookie, reduce the granulated sugar by 2 tablespoons.
  • These cookies freeze well before glazing. Store frozen cookies in an airtight container for up to three months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/cranberry-orange-cookies-soft-chewy-recipe/