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Soft Cranberry Sugar Cookies

Soft Cranberry Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of chewy texture, buttery sweetness, and bright bursts of cranberry flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients and enhanced by rehydrated dried cranberries, these cookies bake up tender, flavorful, and beautifully festive for the holidays. Whether you’re adding them to a Christmas cookie platter, baking for a cookie exchange, or enjoying them with a warm drink, their soft texture and sparkling sugared exterior make them irresistible. They’re easy to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for holiday celebrations.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 30

Ingredients

  • 10 oz Craisins or sweetened dried cranberries
  • 1 cup water for simmering the cranberries
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar plus extra for rolling
  • 1 cup Crisco
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • 10 oz Craisins or sweetened dried cranberries
  • 1 cup water (for simmering the cranberries)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar (plus extra for rolling)
  • 1 cup Crisco
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Replace Crisco with unsalted butter for a richer flavor (cookies will spread more).
  • Use orange-flavored dried cranberries for a citrus twist.
  • Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for extra holiday flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Dough can be chilled for up to 48 hours before baking.
  • Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
  • Baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.

Serving Variations

  • Drizzle with melted white chocolate for extra sweetness.
  • Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking.
  • Sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting for a festive cookie sandwich.

Avoid Mistakes

  • Don’t overbake—these cookies should stay soft, not crisp.
  • Ensure cranberries cool completely before mixing to avoid melting the fat in the dough.
  • Roll cookies lightly—too much sugar can cause overspreading.