Cranberry Orange Blondies

Cranberry Orange Blondies combine two classic holiday flavors into one sweet dessert bar! Zesty orange citrus pairs well with tart cranberries in a chewy blondie base. You’ll go back for “just a little more” again and again!

Day 1 – Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Day 2 – Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Day 3 – Pecan Cookies
Day 4 – Grinch Cookies
Day 5 – Chai Pizzelles
Day 6 – Chocolate Mint Cake Mix Cookies
Day 7 – You’re on it!
Day 8 – Peppermint Meltaways
Day 9 – Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Day 10 – Gingerbread Truffles
Day 11 – Peppermint Bark Cookies
Day 12 – Thumbprint Cookies

Holiday cookie season is in full swing, and these warm blondie bars are the perfect addition to your cookie plate! Cranberry and orange is the perfect combination for Christmas treats, filling up your kitchen with the warm and inviting scent of the holiday season!

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Blondies:

• Blondies are versatile- you can customize them with just about any mix-ins to vary the flavor.
• Fast and easy: In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s nice to have a quick treat you can throw together.
• They taste amazing: The tart cranberries are chewy, and there’s just enough of that sweet orange flavor to add a nice citrus twist to the tender blondies.

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Blondies

You’ll need these simple ingredients to make these Christmas cookies

• Unsalted butter
• Light brown sugar
• Eggs
• Pure orange extract (or orange juice- see note below)
• All-purpose flour
• Kosher salt
• Baking powder
• Zest of an orange
• Fresh cranberries, chopped

Please check the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact amounts of each ingredient!

How to make Orange Cranberry Blondies

This easy recipe is perfect for adding to a cookie tray or serving at a Christmas party. Here’s how to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare a 9 x 9-inch baking pan by spraying it lightly with cooking spray or lining it with a piece of parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, and 3/4 of the orange zest) as well as  3/4 cup of the chopped cranberries. Stir until everything is well combined.
3. Melt butter in a microwave-safe large bowl for 45-60 seconds in the microwave. Add the brown sugar, eggs, and orange extract. Stir together.
4. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Scrape batter from the sides, but be careful not to over-mix.
5. Pour the blondie batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out to the edges with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the remaining cranberries and orange zest on top of the dough.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until lightly golden brown or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Cranberry Orange Blondies: Recipe Notes

• You can use orange juice instead of orange extract. Use 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice in place of the 1 teaspoon of extract, but there’ll be a stronger orange flavor with the orange extract.
• Cranberries are seasonal, but you can find them in the freezer section year-round. Frozen berries do add extra moisture to a batter so thaw them completely and pat them dry before using.
• Add sweet white chocolate chips for an extra treat.
• Add your favorite nuts for some crunch. I like chopped pecans or walnuts with these flavors.

FAQs

How do I zest an orange?

• Hold the tool you’ll use in one hand, then place one end on a flat surface and hold it at an angle. (For a box grater, simply place it on a flat surface like a cutting board.) I have this zester.
• Hold the orange in the other hand, and drag it down over the holes. Important: Make sure to remove only the orange part of the skin! Avoid the white “pith” under that, which can taste bitter.
• Gradually turn the orange until all orange parts of the peel have been removed. One regular orange will give you about 2-3 tablespoons of zest.

Can I use dried cranberries in this recipe?

Yes, although the texture and flavor will be slightly different. 

How do I store leftover blondies?

Cover the blondies tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. They can stay at room temperature for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze Cranberry Orange Blondies?

Yes, these blondie bars freeze well! I recommend slicing them, wrapping each blondie individually, and then storing them in an airtight container in the freezer. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving.

The Flavors of the Season

You’ll love these other cranberry orange treats too!

• The Best Orange Cranberry Brad
• Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake
• Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti
• Cranberry Orange Dream Bars

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to see the next cookie in our 12 Days of Cookies lineup!

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