Easy-Bake Cranberry Cookies: A Festive Treat for Young Bakers
These Cranberry Cookies are a festive, tangy, and nutty treat that’s perfect for the holidays or any time of year. This recipe combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of brown sugar, with a hint of lemon zest for added brightness.
With instructions for both the classic Easy-Bake light bulb model and the new Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven, young bakers can enjoy creating these delightful cookies with ease.
How to Make Cranberry Cookies Easy Bake Oven Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cranberries
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
For Decorating
- Red and green decorating sugar
- Fresh cranberries, halved (optional)
- Granulated sugar
This recipe makes two logs of dough, each yielding several cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create a smooth texture for your cookies.
- Add Flavorings and Leavening Agents: Add the vanilla extract, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Beat well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Incorporate the Flour: Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until well blended and a soft dough forms.
- Add Nuts and Fruit: Stir in the finely chopped almonds, cranberries, and lemon rind until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 2: Shape and Chill the Dough
- Divide and Shape: Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into an 8-inch long log. Wrap each log separately.
- Chill the Dough: Chill the logs for at least 1 hour until firm.
- Decorate: Once chilled, roll each log in red and green decorating sugar to add a festive touch. Wrap again and chill for an additional 3 hours or overnight to firm up further.
Baking Instructions for Cranberry Cookies
For Classic Easy-Bake Oven (Light Bulb Model)
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your Easy-Bake Oven for about 10-15 minutes.
- Slice and Bake: Unwrap the logs and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place two rounds on a greased or lightly floured Easy-Bake Oven baking pan.
- Bake the Cookies: Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool on a Wire Rack: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies cool on a wire rack.
For Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven (Electric Model)
- Preheat the Ultimate Oven: Plug in your Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven and let it preheat for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare and Bake: Place two rounds of dough on a lightly greased baking pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these Cranberry Cookies with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of milk. They make a great holiday snack, or wrap them up in a festive bag as a thoughtful homemade gift!
Tips and Variations
- Add a Touch of Orange: Substitute lemon rind with orange rind for a different citrusy twist.
- Create Fun Shapes: Instead of slicing rounds, roll out the dough and use holiday cookie cutters for extra festive cookies.
- Try Other Nuts: Swap almonds with walnuts or pecans to personalize the flavor.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Young Bakers
This recipe is engaging and simple enough for young bakers to tackle, with minimal supervision. Rolling the dough, decorating, and baking all offer hands-on learning experiences in the kitchen. Plus, the colorful sugar coating and delicious, unique flavor will make young bakers proud to share their creations!
Fun Facts About Cranberries
- Native to North America: Cranberries are one of only a few fruits native to North America, used in traditional dishes for hundreds of years.
- Holiday Favorite: Cranberries are widely used during the holiday season, especially in sauces, jams, and baked goods.
Conclusion
These Easy-Bake Cranberry Cookies are a delightful, kid-friendly recipe that combines the bright flavor of cranberries with a sweet cookie base. Whether you’re baking with the classic or Ultimate Easy-Bake Oven, this recipe is easy to follow and yields tasty, festive results. Perfect for the holidays, these cookies are fun to make and share with family and friends!
