Soft Cranberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Soft Cranberry Sugar Cookies are delightful, chewy treats bursting with the sweet-tart flavor of Craisins. These easy-to-make cookies combine moist dried cranberries soaked to perfection with a classic sugar cookie base, rolled in sugar for a crisp, sweet outer layer and baked to golden edges. Perfect for holiday gatherings or everyday indulgence, they offer a wonderfully soft texture and a balanced sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Preparation
- 10 oz. Craisins or other sweetened dried cranberries
- 1 cup water
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 cup Crisco (vegetable shortening)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cook the Craisins: In a saucepan, combine the 10 oz. of Craisins with 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook gently until all the liquid has been absorbed by the cranberries. Remove from heat and allow the cranberries to cool completely.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 3 ½ cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening agent.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of sugar, 1 cup of Crisco, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are fully blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Alternately add the cooled cranberry mixture and the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly after each addition to produce a uniform cookie dough without overmixing.
- Shape Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into small balls approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Roll each ball in sugar until it is thinly coated to create a sweet, crunchy exterior.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet spaced appropriately. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your soft cranberry sugar cookies!
Notes
- You can substitute raisins in place of Craisins if preferred for a less tart option.
- Ensure the cranberry mixture is completely cooled before mixing into the dough to prevent the butter or shortening from melting prematurely.
- For an extra festive touch, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or orange zest to the dough for added flavor dimension.
Keywords: cranberry cookies, soft sugar cookies, holiday cookies, dried cranberry dessert, sweet cranberry treats
Find it online: https://topreci.com/soft-cranberry-sugar-cookies-recipe/
