Festive Berry Cookies (Printable Version)

Buttery, berry-studded treats with dried cranberries, blueberries, and orange zest, ideal for holiday celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Berries & Add-Ins

09 - 3/4 cup dried cranberries
10 - 1/2 cup dried blueberries
11 - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons orange zest (from about 2 oranges)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
04 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
06 - Gently fold in dried cranberries, dried blueberries, white chocolate chips if using, and orange zest.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing approximately 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
09 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The orange zest and berries create pops of flavor that keep every bite interesting without being overwhelming.
  • They look impressive on a cookie platter but come together faster than most drop cookies.
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving and doesnt require chilling or rolling.
02 -
  • Softened butter means room temperature, not melted—melted butter makes the cookies spread too thin and lose their shape.
  • Dont skip the five-minute rest on the baking sheet or the cookies may crumble when you move them.
03 -
  • Zest the oranges directly over the dough so the essential oils release right into the mixture.
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking every single time.

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