Cranberry-Pecan Delights are tender, buttery drop cookies filled with tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a bright touch of fresh orange. Cranberry-and-orange combinations became especially popular in American holiday baking, where their vivid flavor and seasonal character made them a natural choice for Christmas and Thanksgiving cookie trays. This handwritten recipe gives the classic pairing extra richness by combining both butter and olive oil in the dough, while orange juice and grated rind provide citrus flavor throughout. Baked quickly at a relatively high temperature, the cookies develop lightly golden edges while remaining tender inside. Their jewel-like cranberries and bits of pecan make them especially inviting for fall and winter gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup butter (1/2 stick, melted)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans (chopped )
- 1 ½ tsp grated orange rind
- cooking spray (for baking sheets)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Coat 3 baking sheets lightly with cooking spray.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Step 3: Mix the Fats and Orange Juice
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, and orange juice.
- Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Egg
- Add the egg.
- Beat on low speed until incorporated.
Step 5: Add the Flour Mixture
- Gradually beat the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until evenly blended.
Step 6: Add the Cranberries and Pecans
- Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and grated orange rind.
- Beat for 1 minute, or mix until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Portion the Cookies
- Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies approximately 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake
- Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow them to cool briefly on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips
- Use freshly grated orange rind for the brightest citrus flavor.
- Chop the pecans fairly small so they distribute evenly throughout the cookies.
- Avoid overmixing the dough once the flour has been incorporated.
- For a stronger orange flavor, add a little extra grated orange rind.
- Toast the pecans briefly before adding them for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Keep the cookies similar in size so they bake evenly.
- Begin checking the cookies at 8 minutes because the 400°F oven temperature browns them quickly.
- Substitute chopped walnuts for the pecans for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- For a festive presentation, reserve a few cranberry pieces and pecan bits to press gently into the tops before baking.
- Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container to help maintain their tender texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 39mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.6mg