I got this recipe from a holiday baking magazine I bought over 15 years ago and, after baking them once, wrote “AMAZING” next to them with a bunch of stars. So, it’s a go-to recipe for this time of year. They’re great with or without the frosting!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 12-15 minutes per batch

Makes about 5 dozen

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2-1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-4 Tablespoons hot water

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and both sugars.
• Add milk, egg, and orange juice; mix well.
• In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
• Add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
• Stir in the cranberries and nuts.
• Drop by Tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.
• For frosting, heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes and transfer to a small mixing bowl. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat in water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until frosting reaches desired consistency. Frost the tops of the cookies.

• These drop cookies flatten out on their own a bit while they cook, so don’t worry about how tall they are when they go in the oven. They’ll come out as little piles of deliciousness.
• These cookies are fantastic with or without the frosting. I didn’t frost mine this year to try and save a little sugar intake here and there, and they are still almost gone. If you like cranberry, I would try one before you frost them to see what you think first. For me, they’re sweet enough on their own.
• Always start out on the low end of the baking time recommended, as each oven is different. Also, depending on how you like your cookies, going on a the lower end allows for a softer cookie. You can always add time but you can’t take time back.

This is truly one of my favorite holiday cookies so I do hope if you make them you love them as much as I do! If you do give them a try and you also think they’re amazing, be sure and tag me on Instagram @minnesotamillennialmom so we can gush over them together!

I hope your holidays are very merry and filled with love, laughter, and cookies!