Go Back

Cranberry Orange Refrigerator cookies

These tender, delicious and beautiful slice and bake cookies are a real lifesaver around the holidays.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Baking, cookie, Dessert
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 24

Equipment

  • 1 handheld mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened *if you use unsalted butter add ½ tsp salt when you add the flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp orange zest (about 1 large orange) *a little extra won't hurt the recipe but don't use less than 1 Tbsp
  • 1½ cups fresh cranberries, chopped small
  • decorating or sanding sugar (optional) *for rolling the log before cooking

Instructions
 

  • In a medium mixing bowl mix together the butter and sugar with a hand mixer. Beat for 3 minutes or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Add the flour (and salt if using unsalted butter). Beat the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture on low speed, until well combined.
  • Using a wooden spoon or spatula, add the chopped cranberries and orange zest and stir them in until well combined.
  • Lay out a piece of parchment paper and put half of the dough in the middle then spread it to create a log about 9" long. Roll parchment around the dough then wrap the log in plastic wrap. Repeat for the remaining dough.
  • Place the 2 logs into the refrigerator to chill for one hour prior to cutting and baking. Preheat the oven to 350℉ if you are going to bake them now.
  • If you are not baking them right away, the logs can be frozen for up to 3 months. * see notes
  • If you want a more spectacular presentation you can roll the log in decorator sugar (white) or sanding sugar (white) just before baking for an extra touch of magic! Completely optional.
  • If you are baking them, then once the dough is chilled, using a sharp knife, slice the log into 3/8" slices and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in oven preheated to 350℉ for 12 minutes or until the cookies begin to turn golden brown around the bottom edge.
  • Remove from oven and let them cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

These are easy to make, taste delicious and a great time saver during the busy holiday season.
If you freeze them I suggest cutting them prior to freezing the logs, then you can just take out what you need when you want to bake less than an entire log.  
Roll in decorator sugar just before baking (not before freezing)
Keyword christmas cookie, cookie, cranberry orange, cranberry orange cookie, easy cookie recipe, holiday baking, refrigerator cookie, slice and bake cookie