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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating egg and vanilla extract thoroughly to develop a smooth base.
- Fold in flour and salt, then gently mix orange juice, zest, and cranberries to create a fragrant, textured dough.
- Shape the mixture into two cylindrical logs, approximately 7-8 inches long with a 2.5-inch diameter, ensuring uniform thickness.
- 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.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
- Optional: Roll chilled logs in coarse sugar for added crunch and visual appeal.
- Using a sharp knife, slice each log into 12 even rounds, approximately 1/2-inch thick.
- Arrange cookie slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart to allow proper spreading.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges turn golden brown and centers appear set.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar with orange juice until smooth and slightly translucent.
- 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