These keto cranberry orange cookies are soft, tender cookies filled with fresh cranberries and bright citrus flavor. A sugar-free orange icing adds the perfect finishing touch without adding unnecessary carbs.
Made with coconut flour and cream cheese, these low-carb cranberry orange cookies have a soft-baked texture that makes them different from our crisp keto cranberry shortbread cookies.
They are also gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free, making them a wonderful option when almond flour is not suitable.
The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange makes these cookies especially festive for Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, frozen cranberries make it possible to enjoy them whenever you are craving a fresh, fruity keto cookie.
Be sure to visit our entire collection of Keto Cookies for more delicious options.
Soft Keto Cranberry Cookies With Fresh Cranberries
Unlike cranberry cookies made with dried fruit, this recipe uses fresh or frozen cranberries. The cranberries add small bursts of tart flavor and help balance the sweetness of the cookie and orange icing.
Cream cheese gives the cookies a tender texture, while coconut flour provides structure without using grains or tree nuts. The result is a soft keto cranberry cookie rather than a crisp or crumbly shortbread cookie.
Each cookie has only about 1.3 net carbs, making it easier to enjoy a holiday treat while maintaining your low-carb lifestyle.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Made with fresh or frozen unsweetened cranberries
- Brightly flavored with orange
- Soft and tender rather than dry or crumbly
- Made with coconut flour instead of almond flour
- Gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and tree nut-free
- Finished with an easy sugar-free orange icing
- Perfect for holiday cookie trays and homemade gifts
Are Cranberries Keto-Friendly?
Fresh cranberries can be included in a ketogenic diet when used in moderate portions. They are naturally tart and contain considerably less sugar than sweetened dried cranberries.
This recipe distributes the cranberries throughout the entire batch, allowing you to enjoy their flavor without using a large amount in each cookie.
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
You can make these keto cranberry orange cookies with either fresh or frozen cranberries.
When using fresh cranberries, rinse and dry them thoroughly before adding them to the cookie dough.
Frozen cranberries should not be thawed before incorporating. Just add them to the cookie dough frozen.
Do not replace the fresh or frozen cranberries with traditional sweetened dried cranberries. Dried cranberries have a different moisture level and usually contain added sugar.
For a cookie designed specifically for dried sugar-free cranberries, try my Keto Cranberry Shortbread Cookies or Keto "Oatmeal" Cranberry Cookies.
Why Coconut Flour Works in These Keto Cookies
Coconut flour is highly absorbent and requires more moisture than almond flour. In this recipe, the cream cheese, butter, eggs, and heavy cream work together to create a moist, soft cookie.
The dough will be thicker than traditional wheat flour cookie dough. This is normal and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Because coconut flour continues absorbing moisture as the dough rests, chilling the dough is an important step. It makes the dough easier to scoop and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
Ingredients Needed For These Keto Cranberry Cookies
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The following are the ingredients you'll need to make these low-carb cranberry cookies:
Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page, as is the nutritional information.
For the Sugar-Free cranberry orange cookies, you will need:
- Coconut flour
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Baking powder
- Sea salt
- Unsalted butter
- Full-fat cream cheese softened
- Granulated sugar substitute
- Eggs, room temperature
- Orange extract
Keto Orange Glaze
- Confectioner's sugar substitute
- Lemon juice
- Heavy cream
- Orange extract
- Orange zest
- Pinch of sea salt
Tools You'll Need
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl for the cookie dough
- Separate bowl for the orange icing
Choosing the Best Sugar Substitute
Use a granulated sugar substitute in the cookie dough and a powdered confectioners' sugar substitute for the icing.
A powdered sweetener dissolves more easily and produces a smoother icing. Granulated sweetener may leave the icing with a gritty texture.
Sweetener brands vary in sweetness, so use the conversion recommended by the manufacturer when substituting another product. This is especially important if using a stevia-erythritol blend because it is doubly sweet.
How To Make Coconut Flour Cranberry Cookies
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Begin by combining the coconut flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, sugar substitute, and orange flavoring until smooth and well combined. Add the eggs according to the recipe instructions, followed by the heavy cream.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The dough will become thick as the coconut flour absorbs the moisture.
Carefully fold in the cranberries, taking care not to crush them excessively. Chill the cookie dough so that it becomes firm enough to scoop.
Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently flatten each portion. Coconut flour cookies do not spread as much as conventional cookies, so shaping them before baking is important.
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges. Allow them to cool completely before adding the sugar-free orange icing.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Keto Cookies
Use room-temperature ingredients. Softened butter, cream cheese, and room-temperature eggs combine more evenly and produce a smoother dough.
Measure coconut flour carefully. Too much coconut flour can make the cookies dry. Avoid packing it firmly into the measuring cup.
Allow the dough to rest. Coconut flour needs time to absorb the wet ingredients. Do not add extra flour simply because the dough initially appears soft.
Chill the cookie dough. Chilling makes the dough easier to scoop and helps the cookies retain their shape.
Flatten the cookies before baking. These cookies will not spread like traditional wheat flour cookies.
If using frozen cranberries do not thaw. Leave the cranberries frozen if not using fresh cranberries because thawing them prior to adding to the cookie batter can affect the texture of the cookies by adding too much moisture.
Cool before icing. Adding icing to warm cookies will cause it to melt and run off.
Can I Use Dried Cranberries?
I do not recommend replacing the fresh or frozen cranberries with traditional dried cranberries.
Most packaged dried cranberries contain added sugar. Even unsweetened or sugar-free dried cranberries have less moisture and will produce a different cookie texture.
Can I Leave Off the Orange Icing?
Yes. The cookies can be served without the icing if you prefer a less sweet cookie.
However, the sugar-free orange icing enhances the citrus flavor and provides a pretty finish for holiday cookie trays.
How to Store Keto Cranberry Orange Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since the cookies contain cream cheese and a cream-based icing, refrigeration helps them remain fresh.
Place parchment paper between the layers to prevent the iced cookies from sticking together.
The cookies can also be frozen for longer storage. Allow the icing to set completely before arranging them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw the cookies in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes. These cranberry orange keto cookies are a convenient make-ahead dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, cookie exchanges, and holiday gatherings.
You can prepare and chill the dough in advance, then bake the cookies closer to when they will be served. The baked cookies can also be refrigerated or frozen according to the storage instructions.
More Keto Cranberry Cookies
For more cranberry cookie ideas, explore these low-carb cranberry cookie recipes. Each one offers a unique flavor and texture.
- Keto Cranberry Shortbread Cookies: These crisp, buttery coconut flour shortbread cookies are made with sugar-free dried cranberries. The dough can be shaped into a log for easy slice-and-bake cookies or rolled out and cut into festive shapes.
- Keto "Oatmeal" Cranberry Cookies: These chewy faux oatmeal cookies use golden flax meal and almond flour to recreate the hearty texture of oatmeal without using oats. Rehydrated sugar-free dried cranberries add sweetness and chewiness.
- Keto Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies: These soft pumpkin cookies combine warm pumpkin spices with tart cranberries. They are a delicious option when you want a cranberry cookie with classic fall flavors.
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Be sure to visit our Amazon Store for our favorite tools and keto ingredients.
My keto cream cheese lemon cookies inspired these keto cranberry orange cookies. If you haven't tried my lemon cookies, I encourage you to do so too
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Our books, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, were created in response to the recipes and guidance our readers requested over the years. It is our prayer that these cookbooks help make your keto journey easier and more delicious.
For even more recipes, check out the Fit To Serve Group App on iOS and Android. The app includes hundreds of sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
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Keto Cranberry Orange Cookies (Gluten-Free)
These soft keto cranberry orange cookies are made with coconut flour, fresh or frozen cranberries, cream cheese, and bright orange flavor. They are gluten-free, sugar-free, low-carb, and nut-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut flour
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries, measured after chopping. If cranberries are frozen use a food processor to chop easily.
- 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 ounces of full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar substitute
- 4 eggs , room temperature
- 2 teaspoons of orange extract
- 2 teaspoons of fresh orange zest
Sugar-Free Orange Glaze:
- ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar substitute
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon of orange extract
- 1 teaspoon of orange zest
- ⅛ of teaspoon of sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar substitute, orange extract, and orange zest until smooth and fully combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Fold the chopped cranberries into the wet mixture.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined.
- Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
- During the final portion of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop one tablespoon of cookie dough at a time and roll it into a ball. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and flatten each one slightly.
- Flatten slightly each ball onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly browned around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely for about 30 minutes before adding the glaze.
Sugar-Free Orange Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar substitute, lemon juice, one tablespoon of heavy whipping cream, orange extract, orange zest, and sea salt.
- If the glaze is too thick, add more heavy cream one teaspoon at a time until it reaches a smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled cookies. Allow the glaze to set before storing or serving.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze them for up to three weeks.
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Measure the cranberries after finely chopping them.
- Frozen cranberries can be chopped easily using a food processor.
- These cookies will not spread like traditional flour-based cookies, so flatten each dough ball slightly before baking.
- Do not glaze the cookies while they are warm, or the glaze will melt.
- Coconut flour and almond flour cannot be substituted in equal amounts.
- If using a stevia-erythritol sweetener, reduce the amount by half because it is approximately twice as sweet as many other granulated sugar substitutes.
- The glaze thickness can vary depending on humidity and the confectioners’ sweetener used. Begin with one tablespoon of heavy cream and add more only as needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 65Total Fat: 6.3gSaturated Fat: 3.8gCholesterol: 43mgCarbohydrates: 1.6gNet Carbohydrates: 1.3gFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.2gProtein: 1.4g
Shannon says
Hello.... I just wanted to confirm the carbs are 0.7g per serving and not 7g per serving. I so want to try this!!!
Hilda Solares says
Hi Shannon, Yes the it's 0.7 per cookie. Enjoy in good health!
Sue says
I would like to make these, but I cant have dairy. Any sub for the cream cheese or can I leave it out?
Hilda Solares says
Hi Sue, The main component of these keto cookies is cream cheese. You might want to visit our Keto Cookie page and see if you can't find something that would work with your dietary constraints. https://www.fittoservegroup.com/keto-cookies/ Hope this helps.
Sílvia says
Hi, what is the best way to store these cookies & how long do they last? Love them they are great. Will be making them again & again.
Hilda Solares says
Hi Silvia, glad you enjoyed them. They need to be refrigerated. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 60 days.
Amber says
It says fresh or cranberries. Is that fresh or dried cranberries? I’m new to keto and the item I miss most are these cranberry orange muffin tops Kroger makes in their bakery. I simply can’t be trusted with them in my house. —having said that I’m so excited to try your recipe.
Hilda Solares says
Hi Amber, the cranberries need to be either fresh or frozen but NOT dried. Unfortunately, dried cranberries can be very high in sugar. Enjoy!
Debby says
You don’t provide the glaze instruction, so I had to find them on your bread recipe.
How many carbs in the glaze?
Hilda Solares says
Hi Debby, I updated the post and added the instructions. Thank you for making me aware.