These easy orange cranberry cookies start with a cake mix, so they’re quick to whip up and perfect for last-minute holiday baking. The bright citrus glaze adds just the right finishing touch.
These cake mix cranberry orange cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh citrus and tart cranberry flavor, making them a festive holiday favorite.
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When the holidays arrive, having a few quick, show-stopping cookies on hand makes entertaining easier. These cake mix cranberry orange cookies are delightfully unexpected: they’re simple to make because they start with a boxed cake mix, yet they taste homemade thanks to fresh orange zest and tart cranberries.
The bright citrus notes pair perfectly with the tang of cranberries, creating a cookie that’s both festive and comforting. They’re soft and chewy, with juicy bursts of cranberry and a satiny citrus glaze that sets up nicely—ideal for gift tins, cookie exchanges, or a holiday dessert tray.
One of the best things about this recipe is how fast it comes together. Using a cake mix as the base eliminates extra measuring and gives consistently tender results. Add a little almond extract, orange extract, and fresh zest to boost flavor, then fold in whole cranberries for texture and color.
These cookies are versatile: you can make them with fresh or frozen cranberries and adjust the orange flavor to suit your preference. The glaze is optional, but it adds a pretty finishing touch and a balanced sweetness that complements the tart berries.
More Cranberry Recipes for the Season:
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread
- No Bake Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Easy Cake Mix Cranberry Bread
- Nantucket Cranberry Pie
- Easy Cranberry Muffins
- Cranberry Boursin Dip
- No Bake Cranberry Cream Pie
- Cranberry Orange Muffins Made with Cake Mix
- Cranberry Orange Dip Appetizer
Holiday Cake Mix Cookies
Using a cake mix for cookies simplifies the process and reliably produces soft, chewy cookies every time. It’s a dependable shortcut that frees up time for other holiday tasks while still delivering delicious results.
The flavor comes from a few small additions: orange extract, fresh orange zest, and a hint of almond extract to round out the sweetness. Folding in cranberries brings vibrant color and pleasant tartness to each bite.
Finish the cookies with a light orange glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice. The glaze brightens the flavor, tames the cranberries’ tartness, and hardens to a smooth, satiny finish so the cookies can be stacked for gifting.
Cake Mix Cookie Ideas:
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies
- Cake Mix Gingerbread Cookies
- Cake Mix Holiday Cutout Cookies
- Chocolate Cake Mix Halloween Cookies
- Easy Cake Mix Recipes
How to Make Cake Mix Cranberry Orange Cookies
These cookies are easy to make and come together in just a few simple steps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup)
- Eggs (2)
- Almond extract (1/4 teaspoon)
- Orange extract (1/4 teaspoon)
- Orange zest (2 teaspoons)
- Whole cranberries (1 cup, chopped or halved)
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, for glaze)
- Orange juice (1–2 tablespoons, for glaze)
How to Make It:
Find the full printable recipe available below
Prepare the batter. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, almond extract, orange extract, and orange zest. Mix on low for about 30 seconds, scrape the bowl, then beat on medium for another minute until combined.
Fold in cranberries. Gently fold the chopped or halved cranberries into the dough by hand so they stay evenly distributed.
Scoop and bake. Use a cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon to drop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about two inches between cookies. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are light golden.
Cool and glaze. Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon orange juice; if too thick, add more juice 1/2 tablespoon at a time until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies and allow 10–15 minutes for the glaze to set.
Notes and Adaptations:
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries. Chop or halve them by hand, or pulse briefly in a food processor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Because cranberries add moisture, they will soften over time—best enjoyed within the first two days.
- Freeze unglazed cookies. Thaw fully before adding glaze.
- The glaze is optional but adds sweetness and makes the cookies easy to stack once it firms up.
- If you prefer, skip the orange extract and increase orange zest by one teaspoon for more fresh citrus flavor.
Recommended Equipment:
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cookie scoop
- Wire rack
- Baking sheet
Cake Mix Cranberry Orange Cookies
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 cup whole cranberries (chopped or halved)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, almond extract, orange extract, and orange zest. Mix on low for 30 seconds, scrape the bowl, then mix on medium for about 1 minute.
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Fold in the cranberries by hand.
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Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake 11–13 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
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Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Whisk powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon orange juice; add more juice 1/2 tablespoon at a time if needed until smooth.
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Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and let set 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen cranberries both work well; chop or pulse briefly for easier biting.
- Best eaten within two days at room temperature; the berries add moisture that softens the cookies over time.
- Freeze cookies without glaze; add glaze after thawing if desired.
- Glaze is optional but provides a pretty, stackable finish.
- Omit orange extract and add an extra teaspoon of zest if you prefer natural citrus flavor.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition info is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
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