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Soft & Chewy Cranberry Orange Cookies with Sugared Citrus Zest Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Soft & Chewy Cranberry Orange Cookies feature a delightful balance of bright citrus and tart cranberry flavors. With crisp edges and a tender, chewy center, these cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations or any cozy occasion. They are easy to prepare and offer a festive twist with sugared citrus zest topping that enhances their flavor and appearance.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • Juice of one orange
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest (divided)

Orange Sugared Zest

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Zest of one orange

Instructions

  1. Prepare baking sheets: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside for baking.
  2. Hydrate cranberries: Pour the orange juice over the chopped dried cranberries, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then let them soak to absorb the liquid.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set this aside.
  4. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the room temperature unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons of orange zest until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until just combined.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  6. Add cranberries: Strain any excess liquid from the soaked cranberries and fold ¾ cup of them into the cookie dough gently.
  7. Portion dough and chill: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, place evenly sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each 2 inches apart. Refrigerate the dough-covered sheets for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for best texture.
  8. Bake the cookies: Preheat your oven to 400°F (reduce to 375°F if using a dark baking sheet). Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges.
  9. Prepare sugared zest topping: In a small bowl, combine the remaining orange zest and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
  10. Top and cool cookies: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, top each with the remaining cranberries and sprinkle with the sugared orange zest. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • If using a dark-colored baking sheet, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F to prevent over-browning.
  • Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours is essential for achieving the soft and chewy texture with crisp edges.
  • Use fresh orange zest for the best aromatic citrus flavor in the cookies and topping.
  • These cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to a week and can be frozen for longer storage.

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/soft-and-chewy-cranberry-orange-cookies-with-sugared-citrus-zest-recipe/