Zingy Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies Recipe: Sweet Bliss Awaits

These buttery, crumbly cranberry orange icebox cookies burst with vibrant citrus and tart berries.

A delightful holiday classic that combines zesty orange zest with sweet-tangy cranberries in every delectable bite.

The dough rolls perfectly into a simple log, ready to slice and bake at a moment’s notice.

Chilling the dough intensifies the rich flavors and ensures a crisp, elegant texture.

Festive and sophisticated, these cookies make an impressive addition to any dessert spread.

Slice, bake, and watch as friends and family savor each delicious morsel.

Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies – Why Try These

• Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers simple steps anyone can follow without stress.
• Make the dough in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flexible baking times that suit your schedule.
• Bright cranberry and orange combination creates a zesty, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for holiday gatherings or casual snacking.
• Optional sugar coating and drizzled icing transform these cookies from basic to bakery-worthy, making them suitable for gifting or entertaining.

Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookie Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational base that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the cookie dough.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie's golden color and crisp edges.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor.

• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes to the cookie.
• Dried Cranberries: Provides bursts of tangy sweetness and beautiful color.
• Coarse Sugar: Optional coating that adds a delightful crunch and sparkle.

• Confectioners' Sugar, Orange Juice: Creates a simple, sweet glaze that complements the cookie's citrus flavor.

Equipment for Icebox Cookie Success

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining ingredients.
• Zester or grater: Perfect for creating fresh orange zest.
• Plastic wrap: Used to wrap cookie dough logs.
• Cutting board: For shaping and rolling dough logs.
• Sharp knife: Required for slicing chilled cookie logs.
• Baking sheets: Used for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to baking sheets.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly.
• Small whisk: Useful for mixing icing.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For precise ingredient amounts.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab your mixer and cream together butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud.

Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla, blending until smooth.

• All-purpose flour
• Salt

• Fresh orange juice
• Orange zest
• Chopped cranberries

Mix until everything comes together into a delightful dough.

Step 2: Shape Elegant Cookie Logs

Using your hands, roll the dough into two sleek cylindrical logs.

Aim for 7-8 inches long with a width around 2.5 inches.

Make sure the logs are uniform and compact.

Step 3: Chill and Rest

Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap.

Slide into the refrigerator and let them rest and firm up.

Give them at least 3 hours, but they can hang out in the fridge up to 5 days.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect non-stick surface.

Step 5: Optional Sugar Coating

If you want extra sparkle, roll the logs in coarse sugar for a delightful crunch.

Step 6: Slice and Bake

Unwrap the chilled logs and slice each into 12 even rounds.

Arrange on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges turn a gorgeous light golden brown.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Drizzle with Citrusy Glaze

• Confectioners' sugar
• Orange juice

Create a smooth, drizzling consistency.

Artfully drape the glaze over cooled cookies.

Pro Tips for Icebox Cookies

• Use a microplane or fine grater to extract maximum citrus flavor without bitter white pith for vibrant orange notes.
• Roll cookie logs in turbinado or raw sugar before slicing to create a delightful crunchy exterior and beautiful sparkle.
• Wrapped logs can be frozen up to 3 months, allowing you to slice and bake cookies straight from frozen state with minimal time adjustment.
• Use a sharp serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to create clean, even cookie rounds without crumbling the delicate dough.
• Pat cranberries dry before adding to prevent excess liquid from making dough too soft and compromising cookie texture.

Cranberry Orange Icebox – Fun Variations

• Lemon Lavender Cookies: Replace orange juice and zest with lemon juice and zest, add dried lavender flowers for a floral, citrusy flavor profile that's refreshing and elegant.
• Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies: Mix in dark chocolate chips alongside cranberries for a rich, decadent version that balances tart and sweet flavors.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain cookie texture and structure for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace egg with flax egg, and select dairy-free confectioners' sugar for the icing to create a plant-based friendly cookie.

Serving Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange cookies on a decorative wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and scattered whole cranberries for a stunning holiday presentation.
• Breakfast Companion: Pair these zesty cookies with a hot cup of orange-spiced tea or morning coffee for a delightful breakfast treat.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine and a small cinnamon stick, perfect for homemade holiday gifts.
• Tea Party Delight: Serve alongside a citrus-infused herbal tea, creating a sophisticated and elegant dessert experience for afternoon gatherings.

Storing Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment layers for up to 5 days. Keep at cool room temperature or in refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Place cookies in freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Warm individual cookies for 5-8 seconds on low power. Check temperature to prevent overcooking and maintain soft texture.
• Warm cookies at 275F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness. Spread cookies on baking sheet in single layer for even heating.

FAQs

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for light brown edges and slightly firm centers. The cookies should be set but not darkened, usually around 13-15 minutes in the oven.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough logs?

Yes, you can freeze the wrapped dough logs for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.

• What if I don't have fresh cranberries?

Dried cranberries work perfectly as a substitute and will give similar texture and tartness to the cookies.

• Is the orange juice important in this recipe?

Yes, orange juice adds moisture and enhances the citrus flavor. It’s a key ingredient in both the cookie dough and the optional icing.

Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry orange icebox cookies blend zesty citrus with tart berries in a classic winter treat. Crisp edges and festive flavors make these cookies perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet afternoon snacks you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (270 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (135 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (90 grams) finely chopped dried cranberries

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Coarse sugar for rolling
• 1 cup (120 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) orange juice for icing

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Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating egg and vanilla extract thoroughly to develop a smooth base.
2. Fold in flour and salt, then gently mix orange juice, zest, and cranberries to create a fragrant, textured dough.
3. Shape the mixture into two cylindrical logs, approximately 7-8 inches long with a 2.5-inch diameter, ensuring uniform thickness.
4. Tightly wrap each log in plastic wrap, sealing edges to prevent moisture loss, and refrigerate for minimum 3 hours or up to 5 days to enhance flavor development.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
6. Optional: Roll chilled logs in coarse sugar for added crunch and visual appeal.
7. Using a sharp knife, slice each log into 12 even rounds, approximately 1/2-inch thick.
8. Arrange cookie slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart to allow proper spreading.
9. Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges turn golden brown and centers appear set.
10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Prepare glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar with orange juice until smooth and slightly translucent.
12. Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle orange glaze in elegant, thin streams across the surface.

Notes

• Zest Brilliance: Use a microplane or fine grater to capture maximum orange zest without bitter white pith, ensuring bright citrusy flavor throughout cookies.
• Sugar Options: Replace white sugar with coconut sugar for deeper caramel notes or use monk fruit sweetener for lower-calorie version.
• Freezer Friendly: Cookie dough logs can be frozen up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bag for spontaneous baking.
• Texture Trick: For crispier edges, slightly flatten cookie slices before baking and ensure consistent slice thickness around 1/4 inch for even cooking.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg