Then, I carefully sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl. After that, I gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients while continuing to blend everything together. I make sure not to overmix it, as this helps keep my cookie cups nice and soft. Now, I fold in the orange zest and chopped cranberries gently, ensuring they’re well-distributed through my dough—this combination smells heavenly, and I can hardly resist nabbing a bit of dough for a taste!
Next, I scoop the dough into the greased muffin tin, filling each cup about halfway. I use a tablespoon for this purpose, and they should bake perfectly into little cookie cups. I bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. A tip: the cookies will seem a bit soft when you remove them from the oven, but they will firm up as they cool. Once done, I let them sit in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Finally, after my cookie cups are cool, I fill each one with a generous dollop of orange crème and top them with a spoonful of cranberries. These little beauties are perfect for a festive dessert table or cozying up while watching a holiday movie!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I’ve tested this recipe a few ways, and I’ve found that the butter should be perfectly softened—not too melted. If it’s too warm, your cookie cups will spread too much in the oven and won’t hold that nice cup shape I love. When I’ve tried using cold butter, the texture turned out too dense, so room temperature is key.
I also recommend letting the mixture rest a few minutes before scooping it into the muffin tin. This simple step helps the flavors meld together nicely and creates an even more tender result. Placing the muffin tin in the fridge for about 15 minutes before baking also ensures the cookie cups maintain their form, so give it a try!
Lastly, if you’re a fan of the bright orange flavor, you can always add a little orange extract into the cookie dough. I’ve done this before and found that it adds a lovely depth of flavor. Not to mention, the aroma of baking orange cookies filling my kitchen is simply irresistible!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I made the first time I made these cookie cups was overmixing the dough once I added the flour. It caused them to be more cakey rather than soft and pillowy. I learned that mixing just until combined helps create that tender texture, so be gentle when you incorporate the dry ingredients! (See the next page below to continue…)**