Description

Delight in these festive Cranberry Cookies, featuring a perfect blend of tart fresh cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips, enhanced with zesty orange and vanilla flavors. Soft and chewy with a golden edge, these cookies make a wonderful treat for holiday gatherings or any time of the year.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, 12 Tbsp or 1.5 sticks)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg (room temperature)
2 tsp grated orange zest
2 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine sea salt

Add-ins

3/4 cups white chocolate chips
2 cups fresh cranberries (8 oz. bag), coarsely chopped (or frozen cranberries or substitute 1 cup dried cranberries)

Instructions

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and continue beating until fully incorporated. Then mix in the grated orange zest and vanilla extract for added flavor.
Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture and beat just until the dough comes together; do not overmix to maintain the cookies’ tender texture.
Add Cranberries and Chocolate: Using a stiff spatula, gently fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped cranberries until evenly distributed in the dough. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls using a small cookie scoop or your hands, and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. If using dried cranberries, reduce the baking time slightly to about 11 to 13 minutes. Once baked, cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring perfect texture.

Notes

Fresh cranberries provide a tart burst and juiciness, but you can substitute with frozen cranberries (thawed and drained) or 1 cup dried cranberries for a different texture and sweetness.
Room temperature butter and egg are key for proper creaming and a tender dough.
Keep cookies spaced well on the baking sheet to prevent them from spreading into each other.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For a festive touch, sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry cookies, white chocolate, holiday cookies, baked cookies, festive desserts, orange zest, homemade cookies