Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. Bursting with tangy cranberries and topped with a creamy frosting, these cookies are sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering or just to enjoy with a cup of tea, the combination of flavors in these cookies is simply irresistible. Imagine the sweet and slightly tart bursts of cranberry paired with a hint of orange, all wrapped up in a buttery cookie—one bite, and you’ll be hooked!

What You’ll Need for Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward cookie perfection. Here’s what you’ll need to make these scrumptious treats:

1/2 cup (113 g) butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) sugar
3/4 cup (165 g) packed brown sugar
1/4 cup (60 ml) whole milk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons (30 ml) orange juice
3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/2 cups (250 g) chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup (125 g) chopped walnuts

For the frosting:

1/3 cup (75 g) butter
2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 4 tablespoons hot water

Step-by-Step Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies Recipe

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s dive into the fun part—baking these cookies! Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies:

Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the Wet Ingredients: Next, add the milk, egg, and orange juice to the creamed mixture. Mix well until everything is fully combined.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Incorporate Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Prepare for Baking: Using a tablespoon, drop the cookie dough onto greased baking sheets, making sure to space them two inches apart.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.
Make the Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat until it turns golden brown—this will take about 5 minutes. Allow it to cool for 2 minutes, then transfer it to a small bowl.
Mix the Frosting: Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Gradually beat in hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost each one with the creamy mixture.

How to Serve Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

These cookies are fantastic on their own, but there are so many fun ways to serve them! Try arranging them on a festive platter with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Pairing these cookies with a hot cup of coffee or tea enhances their sweetness perfectly. They also make a lovely gift when wrapped up in a cute box or tin, ideal for sharing the joy of the season with friends and family.

Expert Tips for Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

Mix and Match Add-Ins: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, feel free to replace them with pecans or even chocolate chips for a different flavor.
Cranberries Matter: Fresh cranberries yield a wonderful tartness, but if they’re out of season, frozen cranberries work beautifully too—just thaw and drain them first.
Make Ahead: The cookie dough can be prepared in advance and chilled in the refrigerator. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready!

Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! These cookies freeze well. Just make sure they’re completely cooled and store them in an airtight container.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, before you start. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help them hold their shape while baking.

What if I don’t have oranges for the juice?
Lemon juice can be a great substitute, giving the cookies a nice zest, while still allowing for that delightful moisture.

These Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies are sure to bring smiles and warm feelings with each bite. They capture the festive spirit and are a delightful treat for any occasion. Give them a try, and enjoy the burst of flavors they offer! Happy baking!

Print Recipe

Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

Delightful cookies bursting with tangy cranberries and topped with a creamy frosting, perfect for the holiday season.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Total Time35

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookies, Cranberry Cookies, Dessert Recipes, frosted cookies, Holiday Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 200kcal

Ingredients

For the cookie dough

1/2 cup 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, softened
1 cup 1 cup (200 g) sugar
3/4 cup 3/4 cup (165 g) packed brown sugar
1/4 cup 1/4 cup (60 ml) whole milk
1 large egg 1 large egg
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons (30 ml) orange juice
3 cups 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/2 cups 2-1/2 cups (250 g) chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup 1 cup (125 g) chopped walnuts

For the frosting

1/3 cup 1/3 cup (75 g) butter
2 cups 2 cups (240 g) confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 4 tablespoons 2 to 4 tablespoons hot water Adjust for desired consistency.

Instructions

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the milk, egg, and orange juice to the creamed mixture. Mix well until everything is fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a tablespoon, drop the cookie dough onto greased baking sheets, making sure to space them two inches apart.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.

Frosting

While the cookies are cooling, heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat until it turns golden brown—this will take about 5 minutes.
Allow it to cool for 2 minutes, then transfer it to a small bowl.
Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Gradually beat in hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Final Touch

Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost each one with the creamy mixture.

Notes

These cookies can be arranged on a festive platter or served with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The dough can also be prepared in advance and chilled in the refrigerator for later baking.