Name: Cranberry Nut Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup packed light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts; 2 ½ cups chopped cranberries; ½ teaspoon orange zest; 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar; 3 tablespoons orange juice

These Cranberry Nut Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that’s bursting with festive flavors and textures. Sweet and chewy, with a hint of citrus from orange zest and juice, these cookies are studded with crunchy nuts and tart cranberries. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Flavors: The combination of cranberries, nuts, and orange zest creates a delicious and festive flavor profile.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, these cookies are a breeze to bake.
Versatile: You can customize them with your favorite nuts or add a festive glaze for a holiday touch.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to bake a batch of these delicious cookies:

For the Cookies:

Butter: Room temperature, for a light and fluffy texture.
Sugar: Adds sweetness.
Brown sugar: Packed, adds a hint of molasses flavor and helps with browning.
Orange juice and zest: Adds a bright citrus flavor and aroma.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Pecans or walnuts: Chopped, adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Cranberries: Chopped, adds a tart and fruity flavor.

For the Glaze:

Orange zest: Adds a fragrant aroma and citrus flavor.
Confectioners sugar: Creates a sweet and smooth glaze.
Orange juice: Thins the glaze to the right consistency.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cranberry Nut Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the orange juice, orange zest, and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients¹ and mix until just combined. Stir in² the chopped nuts and cranberries.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step³ 3: Make the Glaze (Optional)

While the cookies are cooling, whisk together the confectioners sugar, orange juice, and orange zest for the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use room temperature ingredients: Room temperature butter and eggs will cream together more easily, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cookie.
Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
Chill the dough (optional): If the dough is too soft, chill it for about 30 minutes before baking.

How to Serve Cranberry Nut Cookies

Holiday Treat: These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.
Gift Idea: Package them up in a cute tin or box for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Afternoon Snack: Enjoy them as a sweet and satisfying afternoon snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Flash-freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, you can use any type of nut you like, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans.

Can I omit the glaze?
Yes, the glaze is optional. The cookies are delicious on their own.

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries?
Yes, you can use dried cranberries, but the texture of the cookies will be slightly different.

How can I make these cookies crispier?
Bake them for a few minutes longer, or use a higher oven temperature.

There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for Cranberry Nut Cookies that will become a favorite in your holiday baking repertoire. Enjoy!

Lisa

Hi, I’m Lisa Denton! From quick dinners to family favorites, I’m here to help you bring joy to the table, one recipe at a time.

Cranberry Nut Cookies Recipe