Cookies are tiny happiness parcels. These cheesecake cookies recipes with cranberry and orange snowballs bring winter straight into your kitchen in the best possible way. I like how they melt on your tongue like soft snowflakes, but with a burst of citrus and tart cranberry hidden inside. You know the feeling when the weather outside is cold and you want something that feels like a blanket in cookie form? These cookies do that. They’re soft, they’re buttery, and they’ve got that little zing of orange that makes your kitchen smell like a holiday candle. I honestly believe these are some of the best cookie recipes I’ve baked, and I’ve tried plenty of yummy cookie recipes. Another thing that makes these stand out is how simple they are. It’s basically a snowball cookies no nuts recipe that’s dressed up to feel special. Whether you love strawberry cheesecake cookies recipes, strawberry cake cookies recipe, or just delicious cookie recipes in general, you’ll fall for these. They’re playful, they’re pretty, and you might want to hide a few from your family before they disappear.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
- 4) How to Make Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
- 5) Tips for Making Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
- 6) Making Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
- 8) Try these dessert recipes next
- 9) Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I bake these little rounds when the room feels quiet and I crave comfort. The dough stays soft. The centers taste light. The orange lifts the tart fruit. Each bite feels clean and bright.
We call these snowballs, yet they lean creamy. Think cheesecake cookie vibes in a small bite. The texture holds and then melts. My family grabs them warm. I pretend to guard the plate and fail.
This batch fits any weeknight. The method stays simple. No nuts. No tricky steps. If you search for Cheesecake Cookies Recipes, these cookies scratch that itch and keep the kitchen calm.
2) Easy Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Recipe
I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes. I keep this mix close. Cheesecake Cookies Recipes show up on my site a lot, and this one wins for ease and flavor. The first whiff of orange zest wakes the room. Two mentions of our main phrase right here keep search happy and still natural.
The butter holds room temp. The sugar goes in fine. The crumb stays tender. I fold in tiny bits of cranberry for small sparks. Kids call them ruby dots. I call them proof that simple works.
If you love strawberry cheesecake cookies recipes or crave a snowball cookies no nuts recipe, you will feel at home here. These sit in the family of yummy cookie recipes and the best cookie recipes we repeat all winter.
3) Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
Unsalted butter Soft butter builds a tender crumb. It traps air as you mix. It brings that gentle dairy note we all love.
Powdered sugar Fine sugar blends fast and keeps edges smooth. It helps the classic snow coat stick after baking.
Vanilla A small splash rounds the flavor. It ties the citrus to the butter and softens the cranberry bite.
All purpose flour This flour sets the base. It forms a light dough that holds shape and stays soft after the bake.
Salt A tiny pinch wakes the sweet notes. It keeps the cookie from tasting flat. It matters more than it looks.
Orange zest Fresh zest perfumes the bowl. The oils bloom as you rub zest with sugar. The room smells bright.
Dried cranberries Chop them fine. Small bits spread in the dough. Each bite gets color and a pointed tart note.
4) How to Make Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
Step one Heat the oven to three hundred fifty. Line a sheet with parchment. Set the rack in the middle so the bake stays even.
Step two Cream butter and powdered sugar until light. Add vanilla and zest. The mix should look pale and spreadable.
Step three Add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. Fold in the chopped cranberries with a gentle hand.
Step four Scoop small rounds. Roll them smooth. Set them on the tray with space so they bake clean and keep shape.
Step five Bake until the bottoms show light gold. Cool a minute. Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar for the first coat.
Step six Let them cool. Roll again for that soft snow look. Brew tea. Call people to the table and watch the tray empty.
5) Tips for Making Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
Use room temp butter. Cold butter fights you. Warm butter blends and holds air. The crumb turns out tender without stress.
Rub zest with sugar before you mix it in. The oils bloom fast. The scent fills the bowl. Citrus meets dairy and stays bright.
Keep the cranberry bits tiny. Large chunks tear the dough. Small bits land in every bite. The texture stays even and clean. For those who chase Cheesecake Cookies Recipes, this texture note matters.
6) Making Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies Ahead of Time
I chill the dough in a covered bowl. It rests well and scoops clean the next day. The flavor deepens. The bake stays steady.
Shape the rounds and freeze on a tray. Move them to a bag once firm. Bake from cold and add a minute. The shape holds tight.
This plan helps in busy weeks. A stash of dough means warm cookies on short notice. For fans of cheesecake cookie recipe ideas, this trick saves time without stress.
7) Storing Leftover Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
Let the cookies cool. Store them in a tin with a sheet of paper between layers. They keep soft for four days at room temp.
For longer storage, freeze in a flat layer. Thaw on the counter. Roll in a light coat of sugar again for a fresh look.
I pack a few in lunch boxes. I leave some for neighbors. These sit right beside delicious cookie recipes we pass around each winter.
8) Try these dessert recipes next
9) Cranberry Orange Snowball Cookies
Cheesecake Cookies Recipes with Cranberry and Orange Snowballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir in vanilla and orange zest.
- Gradually add flour and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Fold in chopped cranberries until well distributed.
- Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until bottoms are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar while still warm.
- Cool completely and roll again in powdered sugar for that snowy finish.
10) Nutrition
Serving size one cookie. About one hundred twelve calories. Five grams sugar. Forty eight milligrams sodium. Six grams fat. Four grams saturated fat. Thirteen grams carbs. One half gram fiber. One gram protein. Fifteen milligrams cholesterol. These numbers help you plan without guilt.
About the Author
Written by Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes where easy home baking meets calm kitchen joy. Visit us at Simply Cooked Recipes for more small wins.
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