📜 History and Festive Tradition

While this specific recipe is a modern creation, it draws heavily from the traditions of classic American and European holiday shortbread and drop cookies. The use of **orange and cranberry** became a hallmark of late autumn and winter baking in the US, particularly after the widespread commercialization of cranberry harvesting. Cookies like these, often unfussy and intended for sharing, represent the simple, comforting desserts that older families cherished during holiday decorating and gatherings, prized more for their tender texture and familiar flavors than complex technique.

🔬 Formulation and Chemistry of the Soft Crumb

The “FrostSoft” texture of these rounds is achieved by specific ingredient choices and mixing techniques:

• **Butter and Sugar Creaming:** The initial step of creaming the butter and sugar thoroughly incorporates air into the fat matrix. This aeration is the primary physical leavening agent, ensuring the resulting cookie has a light, tender crumb rather than a dense, crunchy one.
• **Baking Powder:** As the sole chemical leavening agent, the baking powder provides the necessary lift to keep the crumb soft and prevents the cookie from spreading too flat during the quick 11–13 minute bake time.
• **Cranberry Function:** The cranberries, especially if fresh or thawed, release small amounts of liquid during baking. This moisture helps keep the dough tender and creates small, soft pockets within the cookie structure.
• **Cream Cheese Frosting:** This specific frosting base, made with cream cheese and powdered sugar, is richer and less brittle than a simple water-based glaze, adding moisture and a slight tanginess that complements the orange zest.

🛒 Ingredients List

For the Cookies:

• $1$ cup **butter**, softened (2 sticks)
• $1$ cup **granulated sugar**
• $1$ **large egg**
• **Zest of 1 orange** (ensure only the orange part is used)
• $2$ cups **all-purpose flour**
• $1$ teaspoon **baking powder**
• $3/4$ cup **cranberries** (fresh or frozen, chopped if large)

For the Frosting:

• $4$ oz **cream cheese**, softened
• $1/4$ cup **powdered sugar** (or more, to taste)

🔥 Instructions and Methods

1. 1. **Preheat & Prep:** Preheat the oven to $350^\circ \text{F}$ ($175^\circ \text{C}$). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2. **Cream Base:** In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the orange zest until fully incorporated.
3. 3. **Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder together. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. 4. **Add Cranberries:** Gently fold in the $3/4$ cup of cranberries. **Optional:** For a stronger citrus flavor, you may fold in a tablespoon of orange juice here.
5. 5. **Form & Bake:** Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for **11–13 minutes** or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
6. 6. **Cool:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. 7. **Prepare Frosting:** While the cookies cool, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a small bowl until smooth and lump-free.
8. 8. **Frost & Serve:** Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a light layer of frosting over each one. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

⭐ Nutritional Summary and Conclusion

Per Cookie (Approximate):

Based on the initial information, each cookie offers a comforting holiday indulgence:

• **Calories:** $185 \text{ kcal}$
• **Fat:** $8 \text{ g}$
• **Carbohydrates:** $24 \text{ g}$

Conclusion:

These Cranberry Orange FrostSoft Christmas Rounds are the perfect embodiment of simple holiday cheer. Their tender crumb and festive flavor profile make them an ideal addition to any cookie plate. We guarantee your **lovers** (family and friends!) will ask for this recipe year after year.