Slice and Bake Chocolate Orange Cranberry Cookies
Buttery slice-and-bake cookies studded with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and bright orange zest. The make-ahead dough logs refrigerate beautifully, letting you slice and bake fresh cookies whenever desired. Perfect for holiday entertaining or gift-giving, these cookies balance sweet chocolate, tart cranberries, and citrusy orange in every bite. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture comes from powdered sugar and egg yolks, while cornstarch adds extra softness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Beat butter for 2 minutes until fluffy
- 2
Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth
- 3
Beat in egg yolks one by one until incorporated
- 4
Add orange zest, cranberries and chocolate chips
- 5
Combine flour, salt and cornstarch in separate bowl
- 6
Add flour mixture and beat on low until absorbed
- 7
Transfer to floured surface, form ball and divide in half
- 8
Roll each half into 1 inch thick logs, wrap in plastic
- 9
Refrigerate logs for at least 2 hours
- 10
Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment
- 11
Slice logs into 1/3 inch thick cookies with sharp knife
- 12
Transfer to baking sheets leaving 1 inch between cookies
- 13
Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are set and golden
- 14
Cool on rack to room temperature
Tips
If dough is too sticky to roll, refrigerate for 30 minutes before shaping into logs
Use mini chocolate chips for easier slicing and more even distribution
Slice with a sharp knife in one clean motion to prevent dragging
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week
Dough logs can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months
Serve at room temperature with milk, coffee, or tea
Common Mistakes
Don't overbake to avoid dry cookies - edges should just be set
Refrigerate dough fully to prevent spreading during baking
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze the cookie dough logs?
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Slice directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.
What if my dough is too soft to roll?
Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm enough to handle, then roll into logs and wrap.
How long do baked cookies keep?
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for best texture and flavor.