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Stack of freshly baked Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies drizzled with white icing. The cookies have a soft, crumbly texture with visible dried cranberries and a hint of orange zest.

Cranberry Orange Icebox Cookies

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These delicate, buttery shortbread cookies are packed with sweet dried cranberries and a fresh citrusy punch from orange zest, topped with a simple orange glaze for a touch of sweetness.
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 14 minutes
chill_time 3 hours
Total Time 6 hours 14 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 130

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the dough
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest fresh
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries finely chopped such as Craisins
  • Coarse sugar for rolling optional
Icing:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar sifted
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
  • More orange zest optional for garnish

Method
 

  1. Beat the butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer until creamy and combined, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating on high speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Stir in the flour and salt on low speed until combined.
  4. Add the orange juice, orange zest, and dried cranberries, mixing until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  5. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Shape each half into a log, about 7-8 inches long and 2.5 inches in diameter. wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to 5 days.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  7. Optional: Roll the dough logs in coarse sugar to coat. Press the dough into the sugar if it doesn't stick easily.
  8. Slice each dough log into 12 equal slices and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
  9. Bake the cookies for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For the icing, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies. Optional: sprinkle with extra orange zest while the icing is still wet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.2mg

Notes

Perfect for the holiday season or anytime you're craving a burst of citrus flavor. The orange glaze adds the perfect sweet touch, but you can skip it and dip the cookies in chocolate for an extra treat!

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