Get ready to elevate your holiday baking with these incredible Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies. Imagine a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookie, infused with bright orange zest, holding a sparkling jewel of sweet and tangy cranberry filling, all finished with a delicate drizzle of a zesty orange glaze. These cookies are not just a treat; they are an experience. They are the perfect addition to any Christmas cookie platter, a delightful gift for loved ones, or simply the best way to enjoy a cozy winter afternoon with a cup of tea. If you’re looking for a festive recipe that’s both stunning and delicious, you’ve found it.
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and foolproof, guiding you to create bakery-quality cookies right in your own kitchen. We’ll walk through everything from creating the perfect tender shortbread to cooking a simple, vibrant cranberry filling from scratch. Say goodbye to overly sweet, one-note cookies and hello to a beautifully balanced bite of holiday cheer.
Why This is the Only Thumbprint Cookie Recipe You’ll Need
What makes these Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies stand out? It’s all about the perfect harmony of textures and flavors. The shortbread is rich and buttery, with a tender crumb that dissolves on your tongue. The fresh orange zest woven into the dough provides a fragrant citrus note that perfectly complements the tangy cranberry filling. Unlike recipes that use canned sauce, our simple, homemade filling offers a much brighter, more authentic taste that truly makes these cookies special. It’s a small step that yields a huge reward in flavor. For another festive treat, check out these delicious almond crescent cookies.
Fresh from the oven and ready for a sweet orange glaze!
The Key Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies
This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create something truly magical. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Shortbread Cookies
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming, which is the key to a tender texture.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s structure.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness and acts as a binder, creating a more tender and flavorful cookie.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the cookie.
Orange Zest: The star ingredient that infuses the dough with incredible citrus aroma and flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough.
Salt: A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness.
For the Cranberry Orange Filling
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Either will work perfectly for the filling.
Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the tart cranberries.
Orange Juice: Adds another layer of citrus flavor and helps create the sauce.
Water: Helps the cranberries break down and cook into a jam-like consistency.
For the Zesty Orange Glaze
Powdered Sugar: The base of our simple, sweet glaze.
Orange Juice: Thins the glaze and provides that final punch of zesty flavor.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of festive cookies. We’ll break it down from the filling to the final glaze.
Step 1: Make the Cranberry Filling
Start by making the filling so it has time to cool. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened into a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. The filling will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which results in a lighter cookie texture.
Step 3: Mix the Dough
Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest until just combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 4: Chill the Dough (Crucial Step!)
Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling the dough is essential; it prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they hold their shape and have the perfect texture. If you’re a fan of no-bake treats, you might also love this No-Bake Cranberry Orange Eclair Cake.
Step 5: Shape and Indent the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the chilled dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled cranberry filling into the center of each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
The perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery.
Step 7: Prepare the Orange Glaze and Drizzle
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until you have a smooth, drizzle-able consistency. If it’s too thick, add more juice a few drops at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over them.
Pro Tips for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies Every Time
Use Cold Ingredients (for shaping): While the butter for the dough should be soft, the dough itself should be cold when you shape it. If the dough becomes too soft while you’re working, pop it back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Don’t Overfill: Be careful not to put too much filling in the indentations, as it can bubble over during baking. A little goes a long way.
Re-indent if Needed: Sometimes the indentations can puff up slightly during baking. If this happens, you can gently press them down again with the back of a small spoon immediately after they come out of the oven.
Cool Completely: Ensure the cookies are fully cooled before you add the glaze, otherwise it will melt and slide right off. For more holiday baking inspiration, try these M&M Christmas Cookie Bars.
Storing Your Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies store beautifully. Once the glaze has set, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just be sure to place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, with parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking. Looking for more desserts? Explore our winter dessert recipes.
Yes, you can use whole-berry cranberry sauce in a pinch. However, the homemade filling in this recipe has a brighter, tangier flavor and a better texture for baking. It only takes about 15 minutes to make and is highly recommended!
The key is to chill the dough thoroughly. After mixing, the dough must be chilled for at least one hour. This solidifies the butter, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them maintain their shape.
Absolutely! The cookie dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge before rolling and baking.
For a clean, uniform look, use the back of a 1/2 teaspoon or 1 teaspoon measuring spoon to create the indentation. This prevents cracks and creates a perfectly round well for the filling. If you use your thumb, do it gently to avoid cracking the dough.
You can add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for a nutty crunch. For a different flavor profile, try dipping the cooled, un-glazed cookies in melted white chocolate. You could also substitute the orange zest and juice with lemon for a cranberry-lemon version.
The Perfect Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
FL Recipes
Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies with a Zesty Orange Glaze
These Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies feature a buttery shortbread base infused with orange zest, a homemade tangy cranberry filling, and a sweet orange glaze. Perfect for holiday cookie platters!
Make the Filling: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, 1 tbsp orange juice, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Let cool completely.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and orange zest until just combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Shape Cookies: Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a 1/2 tsp measuring spoon to make an indentation in the center of each ball.
Fill and Bake: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled cranberry filling into each indentation. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze: Once cool, whisk powdered sugar and 1-2 tsp orange juice to make the glaze. Drizzle over the cookies. Let the glaze set before storing.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcalProtein: 1gFat: 7gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Don't skip chilling the dough! This is the most important step to prevent the cookies from spreading. Tip 2: The cranberry filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Tip 3: For perfectly uniform cookies, use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough.
We are so excited for you to try this Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies recipe! It’s a true holiday favorite that is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. And don’t forget to share a picture of your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
Get the recipe for these amazing Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
