Irresistible Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Occasion
Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies are an absolute showstopper, bringing vibrant color and incredible flavor to any dessert platter. Their captivating swirl design, bursting with the festive combination of tart cranberries and bright orange, makes them perfect for holiday gatherings, special occasions, or simply elevating your everyday treat selection. These beautiful cookies don’t rely on elaborate glazes or decorator sugar to impress; their natural elegance and delightful taste speak for themselves.
Mastering the Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookie Recipe: Plan for Perfection
Crafting these exquisite cranberry orange spiral cookies requires a touch of foresight, primarily due to the essential chill times involved. While they are surprisingly straightforward to make, ensuring you factor in these resting periods for the dough will guarantee the best results – perfectly formed spirals and a tender, flavorful cookie. This recipe is more than just a list of steps; it’s an invitation to create something truly special, a holiday cookie that will be remembered and requested year after year.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies
Every great cookie starts with quality ingredients. For these cranberry orange spiral cookies, the combination of classic pantry staples with the bright, seasonal flavors of cranberry and orange creates a harmonious taste that’s both comforting and exciting. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Dry ingredients: All-purpose flour provides the essential structure for your cookies, ensuring they hold their spiral shape. Baking powder gives them a slight lift and tender crumb, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Wet ingredients: Unsalted butter forms the rich base of the dough. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the cookie. Granulated sugar not only sweetens but also contributes to the cookie’s tender texture. A large egg acts as a binder, adding moisture and richness. Fresh orange zest is key for that vibrant citrus aroma and flavor, making these cookies truly sing. Finally, vanilla extract adds a warm, classic depth that complements the fruit and citrus notes beautifully.
- Filling: The star of the show! Finely chopped dried cranberries bring a delightful chewiness and a burst of tartness. Chopped pecans add a wonderful nutty crunch and richness, providing textural contrast. Orange marmalade ties all the filling elements together, offering a sweet-tart, slightly bitter citrus note that is absolutely essential for the signature cranberry orange flavor profile.
Helpful Baking Tools for Perfect Spiral Cookies:
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, especially when creating something as visually appealing as these spiral cookies. Here are some essentials that will streamline your process:
- Mixer: Whether a stand mixer or a hand mixer, this tool is invaluable for creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring a tender dough.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy is key in baking! These ensure you get the precise ratios for a perfect cookie dough and filling.
- Wooden spoon: Useful for scraping down the sides of the bowl and gently incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Rolling pin: Absolutely essential for rolling out the dough evenly to achieve that characteristic spiral. An even thickness is vital for uniform baking.
- Chef’s knife: A sharp knife is critical for finely chopping the cranberries and pecans for the filling, and later, for cleanly slicing the chilled dough log into beautiful cookie rounds.
- Insulated baking sheets: These help in achieving even baking and prevent the bottoms of your cookies from browning too quickly, resulting in perfectly golden edges.
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Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies:
Achieving those picture-perfect spirals and a perfectly baked cookie is easier with a few insider tips. Pay attention to these details to ensure your cranberry orange spiral cookies turn out beautifully every time:
- Chop your filling ingredients finely: This is a crucial step for maintaining the integrity of the dough and the neatness of your spirals. Larger pieces of cranberries or pecans can poke through the delicate dough when rolling, leading to tears or an uneven log. Fine chopping ensures a smooth spread and a clean cut.
- Consider slivered almonds as a pecan substitute: If pecans aren’t your favorite or you’re looking for a slight variation, slivered almonds, also finely chopped, make an excellent alternative. They offer a similar crunch and a delicate nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the cranberries and orange.
- Utilize parchment paper for effortless rolling: Don’t underestimate the power of parchment paper! Rolling your dough directly on a lightly floured or confectioner’s sugar-dusted piece of parchment will prevent sticking and make the jelly-roll style shaping much simpler. It also aids in transferring and chilling the dough log.
- Understand “softened butter”: When a recipe calls for softened butter, it means butter that is pliable but still cool to the touch. It should yield slightly when pressed but not be greasy or oily. Typically, this takes about 20-30 minutes out of the refrigerator, depending on your room temperature. Butter that is too soft or melted will result in a greasy dough that is hard to handle and may spread too much during baking.
- Bring eggs to room temperature: Just like butter, room temperature eggs incorporate better into the dough, creating a smoother, more emulsified batter. Take them out of the fridge at the same time as your butter for optimal results.
- Chill times are non-negotiable: The multiple chilling stages are vital for this recipe. They firm up the dough, making it easier to roll without sticking or tearing, and solidify the filling, ensuring crisp, defined spirals when sliced and baked. Rushing this step will compromise the cookie’s texture and appearance.
- Ensure uniform dough thickness: When rolling out your dough, aim for a consistent 12×9 inch rectangle of uniform thickness. This is key for even baking and for creating a perfectly symmetrical spiral in your cranberry orange cookies.
- Roll tightly for defined spirals: When rolling the dough jelly-roll style, roll it as tightly as possible. This minimizes air pockets and ensures that your finished cookies have beautiful, distinct layers of dough and filling.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to these delightful cranberry orange spiral cookies. You won’t be preheating the oven right away because the dough needs ample time to chill in the refrigerator. This allows the butter to firm up and the flavors to meld, ensuring the perfect texture and distinct spiral pattern when baked. Let’s get started!
To make the cookie dough:
- In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures these leavening agents and flavor enhancers are evenly distributed throughout the flour. Set this mixture aside for now.
- In a large mixing bowl, using your mixer at medium speed, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ delicate texture.
- Add the large egg to the creamed butter and sugar, and beat well until fully incorporated. Follow this by beating in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract until just combined. The orange zest should infuse the dough with its bright aroma.
- Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- With the mixer on low speed, or by hand with a wooden spoon, gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat until the dough is just blended and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Gently gather the dough and shape it into a flat rectangle. This initial shaping will make it easier to roll out later. Tightly wrap the dough rectangle in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step is critical for firming the dough and preventing it from being sticky when you roll it.
- After the first chill, lightly dust a piece of parchment paper and your rolling pin with either confectioner’s sugar or all-purpose flour. This prevents the dough from sticking.
- Unwrap your chilled dough and place it on the prepared parchment paper. Roll the dough into a precise 12×9 inch rectangle of uniform thickness. Aim for an even thickness across the entire surface to ensure consistent baking and perfect spirals.
To Make the Cranberry Orange Filling:
The delicious filling is what gives these cookies their signature flavor and beautiful color. Preparing it is quick and simple, but attention to detail is key for the best texture and distribution.
- Before you begin, ensure all your filling ingredients – dried cranberries and pecans – have been finely chopped. As mentioned in our tips, this prevents tearing the dough and ensures a smooth, even spread of the filling.
- In a separate bowl, combine the finely chopped cranberries, finely chopped pecans, and the orange marmalade. Mix them thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and the marmalade evenly coats the fruit and nuts.
- Carefully spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border free around the edges. This border will help seal the log and prevent the filling from oozing out during rolling.
- Starting from a long edge of the rectangle, tightly roll up the dough jelly-roll style to form a neat, compact log. The parchment paper beneath the dough can be a great aid here, helping you achieve a tight roll. Once rolled, tightly wrap the entire dough log in the parchment paper and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or ideally, overnight. This second chilling period is crucial for firming the log, making it easy to slice into perfect spirals without squishing or distorting them.
To Bake your Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies:
The moment of truth! Baking these spiral cookies is the final step to enjoying their deliciousness. Ensure your oven is properly preheated for consistent results.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Unwrap the thoroughly chilled dough log. Using a very sharp knife, carefully cut the log into 1/4-inch thick slices. A sharp knife is key for clean cuts and maintaining the spiral shape.
- Place the sliced cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they are ready when the edges begin to turn lightly golden. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so watch for that visual cue. (For reference, mine were perfectly done at 9 minutes).
- Immediately after removing from the oven, gently slide the parchment paper with the hot cookies onto a wire cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool on the parchment for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and placing them directly onto the cooling rack to cool completely. This initial cooling on the parchment helps them firm up and prevents breakage.
Even if you’re usually not a fan of marmalade, we encourage you to give these cranberry orange spiral cookies a try! The marmalade in the filling provides a wonderfully complex, sweet-tart counterpoint to the cranberries and buttery dough, without being overpowering. There are also many types of orange marmalade available, some less bitter than others, so you can choose one that suits your palate. These cookies are a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holidays in every bite. Enjoy making and sharing them!
Discover More Delicious Cookie Recipes:
If you loved these festive cranberry orange spiral cookies, you’re in for a treat! Explore some of our other popular cookie recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
- Chocolate Mint Cookies: A refreshing and decadent combination of rich chocolate and cool mint.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: The ultimate classic, perfectly soft and chewy with melty chocolate chips.
- Snickerdoodles: Cinnamon-sugar coated delights that are crisp on the outside and wonderfully soft inside.
- Monster Cookies: A loaded cookie packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms for a truly satisfying bite.
Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies
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Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp grated orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling:
- ⅔ cup finely chopped dried cranberries
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- ½ cup orange marmalade
Things You’ll Need
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Stand mixer
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Rolling pin
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Wooden spoon
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Chef’s knife
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Insulated baking sheets
Before You Begin
- Chop your filling ingredients small. This will ensure nothing pokes or cuts through the dough.
- Slivered almonds cut into small pieces make a nice substitute for the pecans.
- Use the parchment to help you roll the dough.
- Softened butter means you should take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before using it. You don’t want it too soft.
- For best baking results, bring the eggs out at the same time as the butter.
Instructions
Cookies:
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In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes (mixer at medium speed). Add egg and beat well. Beat in orange zest and vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl. On low speed or with wooden spoon, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just blended.
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Shape the dough into a flat rectangle. Tightly wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.
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Using confectioner’s sugar or flour, lightly dust a piece of parchment paper and rolling pin. Unwrap chilled dough and place on parchment, roll into a 12×9 inch rectangle of uniform thickness.
Filling:
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In a bowl, combine the cranberries, pecans and orange marmalade until well blended. Spread cranberry mixture evenly over dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Starting with long edge, tightly roll up dough jelly-roll style to form a log. Tightly wrap in parchment paper and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Baking:
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Preheat oven to 375 F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the chilled dough log and using a sharp knife, cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place on prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time in preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes or until edges start to turn lightly golden (mine were 9 minutes). Immediately slide parchment paper onto a cooling rack. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes before removing from the parchment and placing directly on cooling rack.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This delightful cranberry orange spiral cookie recipe is inspired by a treasured cookbook from my collection: 400 Sensational Cookies by Linda Amendt. It’s a testament to how classic techniques and thoughtful flavor combinations can create truly sensational results.