Well, Christmas 2014 is technically now behind us…but I hope you all are still basking in the holiday spirit, because I have another holiday cookie recipe to share with you! If you’re anything like my family, the baking doesn’t end after Christmas – we’re only just getting started! These cranberry orange coconut cookies are another of my family’s favorite Christmas cookies, along with the Aunt Della’s cookies I shared earlier this month.
Cranberry and orange is a classic flavor pairing, but these cookies also add dried coconut to the mix – the coconut provides a nice element of texture, but its flavor is subtle. The recipe title as it appeared in Sunset was actually “Coconut-Cranberry Chews,” but I rearranged it a bit to reflect the flavors in order of prominence (as I perceive them, anyway). As the original title indicates, these cookies are marvelously chewy. With their bright flavor and pretty exterior, studded with jewel-like cranberries, these cranberry orange coconut cookies are sure to win you over!
- 1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked dried coconut
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In the bowl of a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter and sugar and mix until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Stir in the dried cranberries and coconut.
- Roll spoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Note: for this recipe, using parchment paper is preferable to using silicone mats.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes, until the cookies are just slightly golden brown. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- I have also made this recipe with dried cherries. Feel free to use either dried cherries or cranberries, or a blend of both.
- Ordinarily, I use Fleischmann’s unsalted oil spread in place of butter to keep baked goods dairy-free, but Fleischmann’s does not work well in these cookies: the end product was a very thin, flat, and somewhat brittle cookie. Nucoa (another dairy-free margarine) works fine, though.
- This recipe originally appeared in Sunset (Dec. 2001), submitted by Nancy Jamison. The ingredients and amounts listed are those of the original recipe, but the instructions and notes are my own.
I never stop baking- its an obsession! Your cookies look delicious! Im a big fan of cranberries 🙂
Thank you! If you like cranberries, I’m sure you’ll just love these cookies 🙂
Ohhhh it’s like a macaroon and sugar cookie mashup! Would that make it a mookie or cocaroon? Ok I have to stop now… anyway, love these!
Haha yes, I love both of the hybrid names! Thanks 🙂
These are delicious. I especially like the subtle tartness the cranberries gives to the otherwise smooth/sweet cookie. Provides a great balance!
Yes, these cookies really do strike the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Thanks!
Another awesome-looking cookie recipe! I hope you’re having a fantastic time this holiday season. These look delicious!
Why thank you! I hope you’re enjoying the holidays as well 🙂
Cookies are good year-round, and I love the coconut that you put together with the classic cranberry and orange. Lovely!
I wish I could take credit for the flavor combination, but that’s all someone else’s stroke of genius! I’m glad these caught your eye – they really are delicious 🙂
I’m totally fine with keeping the holiday baking spirit alive! Love this cookie flavor. the coconut is such a fun addition to the classic cranberry-orange combo.
I’m glad to know I’m in good company in terms of post-Christmas baking!
I love a good chewy cookie and the dried cranberries look gorgeous in the cookies, a must-try, pinned!
Thanks – I hope you get a chance to make them sometime!
i love how simple the recipe is! i must try these someday
It really is simple – no egg, even! Enjoy 🙂
Should there be an egg in the cranberry orange cookies
Nope! These cookies are egg-free.
Okay, you already had me at “cranberry orange”. But coconut, too? That sounds crazy good! I’m definitely going to try this recipe 🙂
I hope you do – they’re delicious any time of year!