Description
These Irresistibly Buttery Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth delights infused with bright citrus zest and chewy dried cranberries. Rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish, they are perfect for festive occasions or any time you crave a buttery, citrusy cookie with a sweet and tart twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar (for the dough)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (skip if using salted butter)
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup Chopped Dried Cranberries (high-quality)
- 1 tablespoon Orange Zest (can substitute with lemon zest)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (or plain flour)
Coating
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar (to coat the baked cookies)
Instructions
- Beat Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings: Pour in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and, if using unsalted butter, add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix until these ingredients are fully incorporated to enhance the dough’s flavor.
- Incorporate Flour and Zest: Gradually add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of orange zest into the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold the mixture just until combined; do not overmix to keep cookies tender.
- Mix in Cranberries: Gently fold 1/2 cup of chopped dried cranberries into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout for little bursts of sweetness and tartness in every bite.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in cling film and refrigerate for about 1 hour or until the dough becomes firm. This step helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Form Cookie Balls: Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Make sure to space them adequately to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until they are set but not browned, retaining their delicate texture.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a minute on the baking tray to firm slightly for easier handling.
- First Sugar Coating: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in 1/2 cup powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly, giving the cookies their signature snowy appearance.
- Final Cooling and Second Coating: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, coat them again in powdered sugar for a thicker, more vibrant snowball effect.
- Serve: Arrange the fully coated cookies on a festive platter and enjoy these buttery, citrusy treats with a snowy finish.
Notes
- Using unsalted butter allows better control over the salt level, but skip additional salt if using salted butter.
- Orange zest is key for the bright citrus flavor, but lemon zest can be used as a substitute.
- Chilled dough is essential for shaping and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar twice ensures a beautiful, snowy coating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
