Description
Buttery soft cookies topped with jewel-like sparkling cranberries and a bright citrus glaze festive, elegant, and perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
- Sparkling Cranberries:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup additional sugar for rolling
- —
- Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- —
- Citrus Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- 1. Prepare sparkling cranberries: Heat water and 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved. Remove from heat and gently stir in cranberries. Let sit 10 minutes, then drain. Roll cranberries in remaining sugar and let dry on a tray for 1 hour.
- 2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- 4. Cream butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- 5. Add egg, vanilla, and orange zest; mix until smooth.
- 6. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- 7. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto baking sheets and slightly flatten each one.
- 8. Bake 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- 9. Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice to make the glaze.
- 10. Once cookies are cooled, drizzle with glaze and top with sparkling cranberries.
- 11. Let glaze set before serving.
Notes
- Make the sparkling cranberries up to 2 days in advance.
- For a stronger citrus note, add extra zest to the dough or glaze.
- Store cookies in a single layer to protect the sugared cranberries.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: sparkling cranberry cookies, elegant holiday cookies, cranberry cookies