Easy Lemon Cranberry Cookies Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Bites

Lemon cranberry cookies burst with vibrant, tangy flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft, delicate textures promise a delightful culinary experience for sweet-seeking souls.

Bright citrus notes intertwine with tart, ruby-red fruit for a sensational treat.

Bakers passionate about unique desserts will adore this innovative combination of zesty and sweet elements.

Homemade goodness radiates from these delectable morsels, offering comfort and joy in every bite.

Carefully crafted ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a symphony of taste that surprises and delights.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies irresistibly tempting for anyone craving a memorable dessert.

Best Way to Store Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for 5-7 days.
• Freezer Method: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Warm briefly in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore original softness and crisp edges.

What Pairs Well with Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• Pair with Herbal Tea: Brew a light chamomile or lavender tea to complement the citrusy, sweet notes of the lemon cranberry cookies. The delicate herbal flavors will enhance the cookie's brightness without overpowering its subtle tartness.
• Match with White Wine: Select a crisp Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the cookie's sweetness. These wines offer refreshing acidity that harmonizes with the lemon zest and cranberry elements, creating a delightful taste experience.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla ice cream as a decadent accompaniment. The cool, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the cookie's crumbly texture, while the vanilla undertones echo the cookie's sweet profile.
• Enjoy with Cream Cheese Spread: Prepare a light cream cheese spread with a hint of honey. The tangy, smooth spread provides a luxurious counterpoint to the cookie's bright lemon and tart cranberry flavors.

What to Love About Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• Burst with Bright Citrus Flavor: Lemon zest and juice infuse these cookies with a vibrant, tangy punch that wakes up your taste buds and cuts through the sweetness.
• Celebrate Textural Delights: Soft, buttery cookie base meets crunchy sanding sugar exterior, while plump cranberries add a juicy burst of tartness in every bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and easy mixing techniques, perfect for bakers of all skill levels wanting a delightful homemade treat.

What Goes Into Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Soft and fine flour that creates a tender cookie base with delicate crumb.
• Sanding Sugar: Coarse, sparkly sugar that adds delightful crunch and sweet crystal-like texture to cookie exterior.

• Lemon Zest: Bright, fragrant citrus element that provides intense lemon flavor and aromatic notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Rich, sweet flavor enhancer that deepens the cookie's overall taste profile.
• Cranberries: Tart, jewel-like fruits that add vibrant color and tangy burst to the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweet base ingredient that helps create golden, crisp cookie edges.
• Egg Yolks: Rich, creamy binding agent that contributes to soft, rich cookie texture.
• Softened Butter: Smooth, rich fat that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Fine, powdery sugar used for creating smooth, glossy glaze.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy liquid that thins and adds zesty flavor to the cookie glaze.

Instructions for Lemon Cranberry Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat

Step 2: Create Lemon-Infused Sugar

• Combine sugar and fresh lemon zest
• Mix until sugar turns pale yellow
• Rub mixture between fingers to release citrusy oils

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• Add softened butter to lemon sugar
• Beat until mixture becomes light and fluffy
• Use electric mixer for smooth consistency

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Incorporate egg yolks
• Add vanilla extract
• Mix until ingredients are completely combined

Step 5: Form Cookie Dough

• Gradually add flour to wet mixture
• Stir gently until just combined
• Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture

Step 6: Shape Cookies

• Scoop small portions of dough
• Roll each portion into smooth ball
• Coat each ball in sanding sugar
• Place on prepared baking sheet
• Gently press whole cranberry into center of each cookie

Step 7: Bake Cookies

• Place in preheated oven
• Bake for 10 minutes
• Cookies should have light golden edges
• Cool on baking sheet for 3-5 minutes
• Transfer to wire rack

Step 8: Create Lemon Glaze

• Whisk confectioner's sugar
• Add fresh lemon juice
• Stir until smooth consistency
• Transfer to sandwich bag
• Cut small tip in corner

Step 9: Finish and Decorate

• Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies
• Use zigzag motion for elegant design
• Sprinkle additional sanding sugar
• Allow glaze to completely harden
• Store in airtight container

Tips for Soft and Zesty Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• Massage Lemon Zest: Rub lemon zest into sugar using your fingertips to release maximum citrus oils and intensify flavor.
• Chill Dough Briefly: Refrigerate cookie dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain perfect shape.
• Handle Cranberries Gently: Pat dried cranberries with paper towel to remove excess moisture before pressing into cookie centers.
• Control Glaze Consistency: Add lemon juice gradually to confectioner's sugar, ensuring smooth drizzling without becoming too runny.
• Store Strategically: Keep cookies in airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain crispness and prevent sticking.

New Twists for Lemon Cranberry Cookies

• Orange Cranberry Zinger: Swap lemon zest with orange zest, use orange juice in glaze for a bright citrus punch that'll make taste buds dance.
• Lavender Cranberry Dream: Incorporate dried lavender into sugar mixture, replace vanilla with lavender extract for an elegant, floral undertone that transforms classic cookies.
• Almond Cranberry Crunch: Mix ground almonds into flour, add almond extract alongside vanilla, sprinkle sliced almonds on top for extra texture and nutty richness.
• Maple Cranberry Comfort: Replace white sugar with dark brown sugar, use maple extract instead of vanilla, drizzle maple glaze for a cozy, warm-hearted cookie experience.

Lemon Cranberry Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon cranberry cookies bring sunshine to classic holiday baking with tangy citrus and tart berry notes. Delicate crumbly texture and festive flavor combine to create a perfect treat you’ll want to share with everyone.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, washed and patted dry
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 large egg yolks

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ⅔ cup sugar
• ½ cup sanding sugar
• 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (keep zest and juice separate)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant lemon-sugar blend by massaging zest into granulated sugar until the mixture turns a pale, sunshiny yellow.
2. Cream the softened butter into the lemon-infused sugar, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous.
3. Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Gradually fold in flour, gently mixing until just combined, taking care not to overwork the delicate dough.
5. Shape the dough into small, uniform spheres, each approximately the size of a rounded teaspoon.
6. Roll each cookie ball through a generous coating of sparkling sanding sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Position the sugar-coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing ample space between each cookie.
8. Delicately press a single cranberry into the center of each unbaked cookie, creating a vibrant focal point.
9. Slide the prepared baking sheet into a preheated 350°F oven, baking for precisely 10 minutes until edges turn golden.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly.
11. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them cool completely.
12. Prepare a glossy lemon glaze by whisking confectioner’s sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth and drizzle-able.
13. Transfer the glaze into a small piping bag or sandwich bag, snipping a tiny corner for precise drizzling.
14. Create an artistic zigzag pattern of lemon glaze across the cooled cookies.
15. Sprinkle an additional light dusting of sanding sugar over the glazed cookies for extra sparkle.
16. Permit the glaze to set and harden completely before storing the cookies in an airtight container.

Notes

• Zest the lemon carefully to release maximum citrusy flavor, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Softened butter is crucial for creating a light, tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Sanding sugar provides a delightful crunch and sparkling appearance, elevating the cookie’s visual appeal.
• Press cranberries gently into cookie dough to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet to help them set and prevent breaking.
• Drizzle lemon glaze just before serving to maintain the crisp, glossy finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg