Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 C). Slice each cranberry in half and set each half flat side down on a cutting board. Chop them up into roughly chocolate chip-sized pieces.
Add the sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Grate the orange zest directly into the bowl of sugar, making sure to get every bit of orange rind. After grating all the zest, mix (using the paddle attachment) until the sugar looks orange in color. Add the butter, salt, and vanilla and mix very well until fluffy. Add the baking soda and GF flour and mix to form a dry dough. Add 3 tbsps/45 grams of milk and mix well. The dough shouldn't be sticky but also not dry. Mix in another tablespoon of milk if needed. Add the chopped cranberries and mix until just combined.
Scoop 12 dough balls onto each baking tray and bake for about 12 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
