Description
Sparkling sugarplum cranberry cookies blend festive winter magic with sweet-tart charm. Holiday bakers will discover a delightful treat that melts in your mouth and brings seasonal joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
- Extra sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Gently thaw frozen cranberries at room temperature until completely soft and release their vibrant juices, allowing several hours or overnight for optimal texture.
- Create a luscious cranberry puree by blending thawed berries with orange juice and zest until silky smooth, precisely measuring 2/3 cup of the mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy, pale, and voluminous, developing a light, whipped consistency.
- Incorporate the cranberry puree into the butter mixture, whipping thoroughly to ensure complete integration and a uniform, glossy texture.
- Gradually fold in flour, baking powder, and salt at low speed, maintaining a gentle mixing technique. Delicately fold in dried cranberries for additional burst of flavor.
- Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing it to firm and develop a more concentrated flavor profile.
- Carefully shape the chilled dough into uniform spheres, then delicately roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkling, sweet exterior.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges that signal perfect doneness and a delicate, crisp texture.
Notes
- Ensure Cranberries are Perfectly Thawed by letting them sit at room temperature, which prevents excess moisture and maintains cookie texture.
- Create Smooth Puree by blending cranberries completely, removing any large chunks that might disrupt the cookie’s delicate structure.
- Avoid Overmixing when adding dry ingredients to preserve the cookies’ tender crumb and prevent tough, dense results.
- Experiment with Dietary Alternatives by substituting gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version or using plant-based butter for a vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg