Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

These cranberry orange oatmeal cookies are the perfect holiday treat! They’re chewy, flavorful, and bursting with festive flavors. The combination of tart cranberries, zesty orange, and hearty oats creates a cookie that’s both delicious and satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or simply want a warm and comforting treat, these cookies are sure to be a hit.

## Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

* **Festive Flavors:** The cranberry and orange combination is a classic holiday pairing, creating a bright and cheerful flavor profile.
* **Chewy Texture:** These cookies are perfectly chewy thanks to the oats and brown sugar.
* **Easy to Make:** The recipe is straightforward and uses common pantry ingredients.
* **Perfect for Gifting:** These cookies are ideal for gifting to friends, family, and neighbors.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or different spices.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** Provides structure to the cookies.
* **Rolled Oats:** Adds chewiness and texture. Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant oats.
* **Baking Soda:** Helps the cookies rise and spread.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Cinnamon:** Adds warmth and spice.
* **Nutmeg:** Another warm spice that complements the cranberry and orange flavors.
* **Unsalted Butter:** Adds richness and tenderness. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps the cookies brown.
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds moisture and chewiness. Use light or dark brown sugar, depending on your preference.
* **Eggs:** Binds the ingredients together.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
* **Orange Zest:** Adds a bright citrusy flavor.
* **Orange Juice:** Adds moisture and enhances the orange flavor.
* **Dried Cranberries:** Adds a tart and chewy element. Look for sweetened dried cranberries.
* **Optional: Chopped Nuts (Walnuts, Pecans):** Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
* **Optional: White Chocolate Chips:** Adds sweetness and creaminess. Balances the tartness of the cranberries.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Mixing Bowls:** For mixing the wet and dry ingredients.
* **Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer):** To cream the butter and sugar.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measuring.
* **Cookie Sheets:** For baking the cookies.
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** To prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
* **Cookie Scoop (Optional):** For uniform cookie sizes.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the cookies.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to bake perfect cranberry orange oatmeal cookies every time:

**1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your oven rack is positioned in the center.
* Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

**2. Combine Dry Ingredients:**

* In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisking ensures that the ingredients are evenly distributed.
* Set the dry ingredients aside.

**3. Cream Butter and Sugars:**

* In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
* Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air, which helps create a light and tender cookie.
* Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly combined.

**4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:**

* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
* Stir in the vanilla extract.
* Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated before adding the next one.

**5. Add Orange Zest and Juice:**

* Stir in the orange zest and orange juice until combined. The orange zest adds a concentrated citrus flavor, while the juice adds moisture.

**6. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients:**

* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
* Mix until there are no streaks of flour remaining.

**7. Stir in Cranberries and Optional Add-Ins:**

* Gently fold in the dried cranberries and any optional add-ins, such as chopped nuts or white chocolate chips. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough.

**8. Scoop and Arrange Cookies:**

* Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
* If you don’t have a cookie scoop, use a spoon to measure out the dough and roll it into a ball.

**9. Bake the Cookies:**

* Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cookies.
* For even baking, rotate the cookie sheets halfway through the baking time.

**10. Cool the Cookies:**

* Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Cooling the cookies on the baking sheets allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to transfer.

**11. Enjoy!**

* Once the cookies are completely cooled, enjoy them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or as a sweet treat any time of day.

## Tips for Perfect Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Softened butter creams more easily with the sugar, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Use a kitchen scale or the spoon and level method to measure your flour accurately. Too much flour can result in dry cookies.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
* **Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
* **Cool Completely Before Storing:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Nuts:** Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Use white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips for a touch of sweetness.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as ginger, cloves, or cardamom.
* **Citrus:** Use lemon zest or grapefruit zest instead of orange zest for a different citrus flavor.
* **Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and make sure your sugar is vegan-friendly.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that your oats are certified gluten-free as well.

## Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will stay fresh longer if properly stored.
* **Freezer:** For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

## Serving Suggestions

These cranberry orange oatmeal cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **With Milk or Coffee:** A classic pairing! Enjoy a warm cookie with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
* **As a Dessert:** Serve the cookies as part of a dessert platter at your next gathering.
* **In a Cookie Jar:** Keep a batch of cookies in a cookie jar for a quick and easy snack.
* **As a Gift:** Package the cookies in a decorative box or tin and give them as a thoughtful gift.
* **With Ice Cream:** Crumble the cookies over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.)

* Calories: 150-200 per cookie
* Fat: 7-10g
* Saturated Fat: 4-6g
* Cholesterol: 20-30mg
* Sodium: 50-70mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-25g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 10-15g
* Protein: 1-2g

## Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

**Yields:** Approximately 24 cookies
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 9-11 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* 1 ½ cups (135g) rolled oats (not instant)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* ½ cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 tablespoon orange zest
* 2 tablespoons orange juice
* 1 cup (120g) dried cranberries
* Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
* Optional: ½ cup white chocolate chips

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Stir in orange zest and orange juice.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
7. Fold in dried cranberries, nuts (if using), and white chocolate chips (if using).
8. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centers are set.
10. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy these delicious and festive Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies! They’re a perfect treat to share with loved ones during the holiday season or any time of year.