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Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Recipe

Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 27 reviews

Delight in these Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies, a perfect blend of tangy dried cranberries and zesty orange in a buttery, tender cookie coated in powdered sugar. These snowball-shaped treats offer a festive and refreshing twist on classic holiday cookies, ideal for sharing or enjoying with a cozy cup of tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar (for the dough)
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
  • 1/2 Cup Chopped Dried Cranberries

Coating

  • 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (to coat the baked cookies)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter and Sugar: Combine the softened butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a bowl and mix until the mixture becomes light and creamy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
  2. Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt into the creamed butter mixture until well combined to infuse flavor throughout the dough.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and orange zest to the butter mixture. Use a spatula to mix everything thoroughly until combined, ensuring the orange zest is evenly distributed.
  4. Fold in Cranberries: Add the chopped dried cranberries and mix gently to form a smooth, cohesive dough without overworking it.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly with cling film and refrigerate it for at least one hour or until firm, which helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
  6. Form the Cookies: Once chilled, remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes for easier handling. Roll the dough into small, 1-inch round balls.
  7. Arrange for Baking: Place the dough balls evenly spaced on a lined baking tray to prevent them from sticking together.
  8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms are just lightly browned, indicating they are cooked through but still tender.
  9. Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the tray for a few minutes until warm but manageable.
  10. First Sugar Coating: While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the 1/2 cup powdered sugar to start creating the signature snowball coating.
  11. Second Sugar Coating: Once fully cooled, roll the cookies again in powdered sugar for an extra white, snowball-like finish and enhanced sweetness.

Notes

  • Use unsalted butter for better control over the salt level in the cookies.
  • If dried cranberries are tart, you can lightly soak them in warm water and drain before chopping to soften them.
  • Ensure the dough is chilled well to help shape the cookies and prevent spreading during baking.
  • For a stronger orange flavor, increase the zest slightly but avoid adding orange juice as it may affect the dough texture.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry cookies, orange zest cookies, snowball cookies, holiday cookies, festive desserts, powdered sugar cookies, dried cranberry dessert

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/cranberry-orange-snowball-cookies-recipe/