Cranberry Drop Cookies Recipe

These Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with juicy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a soft, buttery cookie base. Topped with a smooth orange-infused frosting, these cookies make a festive treat for the holidays or any time you crave something special!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft & chewy texture – thanks to butter and brown sugar
• Perfect balance of flavors – tart cranberries, sweet frosting, and nutty crunch
• Easy to make – no rolling or chilling required
• Great for holidays & gifting – a beautiful, festive cookie
• Deliciously frosted – with a smooth, citrusy glaze

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cookies:

• 2½ cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup butter (softened)
• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup walnuts (chopped)

For the Frosting:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Directions

1. Preheat & Prepare the Dough

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a bowl, toss cranberries with 1 tablespoon sugar and set aside.

2. Cream the Butter & Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

4. Fold in Cranberries & Walnuts

• Gently fold in cranberries and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.

5. Drop & Bake

• Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
• Cool on a wire rack.

6. Make the Frosting

• In a bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, milk, and hot water until smooth.

7. Frost the Cookies

• Once cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or spread frosting on top.
• Let frosting set before serving.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: About 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

• Almond Cranberry Cookies: Swap walnuts for sliced almonds.
• Chocolate Cranberry Cookies: Add ½ cup white or dark chocolate chips.
• Coconut Frosting: Mix ¼ cup shredded coconut into the glaze.
• Lemon Glaze: Replace orange juice with fresh lemon juice.

Storage & Freezing

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Frost after thawing.

FAQs

1. Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes! Use 1½ cups dried cranberries and soak in warm water for 10 minutes before adding.

2. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft and avoid overmixing the dough.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

4. How do I make a thicker frosting?

Add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.

5. Can I skip the nuts?

Yes! Omit the walnuts or replace them with chocolate chips.

6. How do I make these cookies gluten-free?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

7. What’s the best way to frost these cookies?

Use a spoon or piping bag for even frosting distribution.

8. Can I make these without the frosting?

Yes! They’re delicious even without frosting, but the glaze adds a sweet citrus touch.

9. How do I store frosted cookies without messing up the glaze?

Let the frosting fully set before stacking with parchment paper between layers.

10. Can I use orange zest in the cookies?

Yes! Add 1 teaspoon orange zest for extra citrus flavor.

Conclusion

These Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies are the perfect soft, spiced, and citrusy treat for any season! With sweet and tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a silky orange frosting, they’re guaranteed to be a favorit

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