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Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

Soft and chewy Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies packed with tart cranberries, zesty orange flavor, and warm spices—perfect for the holiday season!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Cool 10 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Serving Size 18 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 tablespoons dried or fresh orange zest

Instructions

  • In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer at medium speed, cream softened butter and sugars until light and fluffy, for about 4 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the old-fashioned oats, orange zest, and the dried cranberries.
  • Gradually add the bowl of dry ingredients to the wet and mix until combined. Don’t overmix!
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Portion the dough with a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons). Place the cookie dough balls 4 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 13-14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. The centers will look soft but firm up as they cool.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes to set. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Flatten the Cookies: These cookies don’t spread much during baking, so gently flatten the dough balls a bit before putting them in the oven for the best shape.
  • Optional Add-Ins: For an extra touch of sweetness, mix in some white chocolate chips—they pair perfectly with the cranberries and orange zest.
  • Use Old-Fashioned Oats: Stick with old-fashioned oats for the best texture. Avoid using quick oats, which can make the cookies too soft and lose their chewy texture.
  • Don’t Overbake: These cookies may look slightly underdone when you pull them out of the oven, but resist the urge to bake longer. They will firm up as they cool and stay perfectly soft and chewy.
  • Fresh Orange Zest: You can use fresh zest in this recipe, but you'll need to use more than the amount specified for dried zest. If you prefer a milder orange flavor, reduce the quantity to suit your taste.