Print

Citrus Cranberry Christmas Cookies

Print Recipe

Citrus Cranberry Christmas Cookies are festive, zesty, and bursting with holiday flavor! These buttery cookies are studded with dried cranberries, infused with citrus zest, and lightly drizzled with a tangy glaze. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or a cozy treat with a cup of tea.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest (about 1 orange)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

For the Citrus Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp orange zest (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients:
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Cream Butter and Sugars:
    • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  • Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
    • Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and lemon zest until well combined.
  • Add Dry Ingredients and Cranberries:
    • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped dried cranberries.
  • Shape and Bake:
    • Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look slightly soft.
    • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Prepare the Citrus Glaze:
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more juice or powdered sugar if needed.
  • Decorate the Cookies:
    • Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Sprinkle with additional orange zest, if desired. Let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra festive touch, add white chocolate chips to the dough.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze, shape the cookie dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months and bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Keywords: Citrus Cranberry Christmas Cookies, cranberry orange cookies, citrus holiday cookies, festive Christmas cookies, easy holiday cookies, cranberry cookie recipe, orange zest cookies, citrus glaze cookies, holiday baking ideas, Christmas cookie exchange

Find it online: https://masonrecipes.com/citrus-cranberry-christmas-cookies/