cranberry orange snickerdoodles
Cranberry orange snickerdoodles make a delicious cookie for the holidays!
Snickerdoodles are one cookie I find myself making every year; the pillowy puffs of cinnamon-sugar with slightly crisp edges and soft centers are my idea of cookie heaven. For a seasonal twist, I perfumed the batter with fresh orange zest and folded in plump dried cranberries.
The resulting cookies are soft and chewy, doused with cinnamon-sugar and dotted with cranberries. I like to think of them as snickerdoodle clouds and I have a feeling you’ll agree.
Perfect Cranberry Orange Snickerdoodles
- Chill the dough for at least 4 hours before baking, or up to overnight
- Spray a cookie scoop with nonstick spray to scoop the dough (re-spray as necessary to keep the dough from sticking)
- Form 1 1/2-inch balls of dough and roll in cinnamon-sugar
- Once all the dough is rolled in cinnamon-sugar, coat a second time in cinnamon-sugar
- Arrange the balls of dough 9 per baking sheet, gently pressing the tops to flatten slightly
- Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through, baking until tops and edges are set
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely
Make Ahead Snickerdoodle Cookies
To make these cookie in advance, simply roll dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just before baking, roll the cookie dough in cinnamon-sugar and bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
Freeze Snickerdoodle Cookies
To freeze baked cookies, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Freeze flat on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Cranberry Orange Snickerdoodles
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 27 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 34 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Soft and pillowy cranberry orange snickerdoodles make a delicious cookie for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For Rolling
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Place sugar and orange zest in a food processor and pulse for one minute. Beat butter and orange-sugar in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until creamy; beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture; beat just until incorporated. Fold in dried cranberries. Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (If cookie dough has chilled overnight, let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Use a cookie scoop coated with nonstick spray to scoop 1 1/2-inch balls of dough. Roll all of the balls in cinnamon-sugar, and then coat a second time in cinnamon-sugar. Place two inches apart, 9 balls of dough per baking sheet, and gently press tops to flatten slightly.
- Bake, rotating pans halfway through, for 11 to 12 minutes, until edges and tops are set. Cool for 10 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Make Ahead: Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just before baking, roll the cookie dough in cinnamon-sugar and bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
Keywords: Cranberry, Orange, Snickerdoodles, Cookies, Holiday Cookies
Craving more snickerdoodle cookies?
Classic Snickerdoodles
Almond Snickerdoodles
Brown Butter Chai Snickerdoodles
24 comments
OMG, these look so good! Snickerdoodles always remind me of my childhood since they were the first cookie I learned how to make on my own. I love that you added orange and cranberry!
This is one of those, “why didn’t I think of this” moments. Snickerdoodles are the best, and the fact that you added cranberries is simply perfection.
I’m with you Laura!! Snickerdoodles are the best!!
I love that you’ve added the cranberry and orange! What a perfect seasonal twist!
I NEED these in my life!!! I’m such a huge snickerdoodle fan but then you added cranberries and orange zest?! These are so perfect.
Wow, I’ve never thought to put cranberry and orange in snickerdoodles! Genius and I bet they taste fabulous!
These are perfect for me, I usually think snickerdoodles are kind of plain…but not anymore!
You know, I’ve never tasted, nor baked, snickerdoodles…. I think this has to change!
These cookies look delicious, Laura! The cranberries and orange zest make them so perfect for the holidays. Love!
Oh, but these look wonderful, and perfect for Christmas. Buon Natale a te!
I’ve never thought of tweaking my snickerdoodles recipe, but you’ve added the perfect ingredients for a special holiday cookie! Brava!
It’s been ages since I made snickerdoodles but these, with their cranberries and orange zest, are calling my name.
Orange and cranberries! What a voluptuous holiday cookie. I adore the update to one of our childhood favorites.
Ooo!! What a lovely way to spruce up snickerdoodles!
That cinnamon sugar coating! Too good!
Love these! Orange and cranberry were made for each other 🙂
What a combo! They look amazing! Cranberries are going in everything around here lately. Mmm….
love the seasonal twist with the fresh orange zest and plump dried cranberries .. looks soooo good!!! I see why you bake these every year! Cookie heaven, indeed!!!
These are pure perfection! Love the cranberry addition! You’re a smart cookie 😉
I should make these! The last time I made Snickerdoodles they disappeared in a flash. This Christmas version is brilliant 😀
Would you believe that I have never had a snicker doodle. Your version sounds very good.
What a change up on snickerdoodles to make them holiday ready.
And they do look pillowy soft.
Hello, Snickerdoodle Fans,
I made these this morning and brought them to a work meeting. They are great. Pillowy and cinnamony. The orange and cranberries get one in the holiday spirit.
Readers may like to know that I cheated and made the dough in my food processor as who can handle dirtying two major appliances. Once I whizzed the sugar and zest, I just kept going with the rest of the ingredients per the recipe.
Think of a regular snickerdoodle like a favorite pair of jeans, but these snickerdoodles are a little black dress!
Jill in Seattle from the soon to be launched, Cookies as a Second Language
★★★★★
I love that, thanks Jill! 🙂