Step 1

Cream the butter and sugar together using a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Step 2

Add vanilla, orange zest, and salt and beat until incorporated. Add flour and cranberries and beat until mixture forms into a dough.

Step 3

Use your hands to shape the dough into a ball. The dough will be slightly dry, but it will soften up as you work with it. Then, roll the dough into a log, 2-inches in diameter. You can roll it thicker but you will get less cookies out of it.

Step 4

Wrap the log tightly with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, up to overnight.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Step 6

Cut the dough into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch slices, and place on the baking sheet about 1/2-inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just starting to brown on the edges.

Step 7

Allow cookies to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.