These Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies contain the winning combination of tart dried cranberries and rich, sweet white chocolate chips. Each bite is wonderfully chewy with pops of fruit and chocolate that are truly impressive to the palate.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 11 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 12
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Sweet, buttery, and slightly tart.
- 🍚 Best Served With: A glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or coffee.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, the dough can be chilled up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
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I love making these white chocolate and cranberry cookies during the holiday season! They make great homemade gifts or party treats. You can serve them however and whenever you like. I highly recommend this cookie recipe if you love cranberries and white chocolate.
If you're looking for more festive treats that feature cranberries, I recommend cranberry eggnog cookies and cranberry sauce muffins.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy: This is a simple homemade white chocolate cranberry cookie recipe that anyone can make! You don't have to be an experienced baker to pull it off.
- It's great to make ahead: You may prepare the cookies or the cookie dough in advance, so they're ready when you need them. They have a great shelf life!
- It's a crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves these white chocolate cranberry cookies. Not only will you have zero leftovers, but you will also need to be prepared to share the recipe.
Ingredients
Below are the essential ingredients for this white chocolate cranberry cookie recipe. The white chocolate chips and cranberries are key to these cookies!
- Butter: I use softened salted butter for these cranberry white chocolate chip cookies. If you have unsalted, add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best results.
- Brown sugar: This recipe is made entirely of brown sugar for a soft, chewy cookie. It won't have crispy edges like you would achieve with granulated sugar.
- White chocolate chips: These add pops of richness to the cookies. Feel free to use white chocolate chunks if you prefer.
- Dried cranberries: Any brand of dried cranberries works fine! They add tart flavor and chewy texture. Try making Craisin white chocolate cookies if you like the Ocean Spray brand.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Orange: Add some orange zest to the cookie dough for a bright citrus note that pairs well with cranberry and white chocolate.
- Dark chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips instead of white for a deeper cocoa flavor.
- Double chocolate: Add cocoa powder to make a double chocolate version.
- Add almonds: Fold in almond slivers for crunch that complements the other ingredients.
How to Make Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Here are the steps needed to make these cranberry chocolate cookies. Before you get started, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease your cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray (or use parchment paper).
Step 1: Beat the butter and sugar. Add the softened butter and brown sugar to a mixing bowl and beat them with an electric mixer until they're smooth.
Step 2: Add egg. Then, beat in the egg until creamy and fluffy.
Step 3: Stir in the dry ingredients. Next, add all the dry ingredients to the bowl and gently mix them into the wet mixture until there are no dry pockets.
Step 4: Fold in the chocolate chips and cranberries. Now you can fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
Step 5: Form the cookies. Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Then, flatten each cookie into a disc.
Step 6: Bake and cool. Pop the pan into the oven and bake the cookies for about 11 minutes. Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes in the pan, and then move them to a wire rack to finish. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- No need to chill the dough: You don't need to chill the cookie dough before making these cookies. I made this recipe so you can bake them right away!
- Use a cookie scoop: For uniform cookies, consider using a cookie scoop. I use a #40, which is about 1 ½ tablespoons.
- Bake them on the middle rack: Place the cookie sheet in the center of the oven to ensure that these white chocolate chip cranberry cookies bake evenly!
Another amazing white chocolate cranberry dessert you should try is white chocolate cranberry nut fudge.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You may freeze the cookies for up to 3 months.
- Make ahead: If you like, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance so it's ready when you want to bake the cookies. I like to do this as part of party planning or getting ready for guests.
Serving Suggestions
- Have a delicious cranberry beverage to complement the flavor of the cookies! This cranberry shrub cocktail and cranberry margarita are perfect pairings!
- Enjoy a scoop of ice cream like this white chocolate raspberry ice cream or orange creamsicle ice cream with your cookie for an extra indulgent experience.
- A lovely hot beverage, like a peppermint mocha, goes well with a warm cookie as a holiday treat.
Recipe FAQs
Overbaked cookies become very dry and crumbly. Only bake them until the centers are set and the edges are done.
If the dough or the butter gets too warm, it can cause the cookies to become flat as they bake. Soften the butter just enough to mix with the sugar!
Of course! Form the cookie dough balls and place the sheet pan in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm. Then, transfer the cookies to freezer bags with layers of parchment paper. Freeze the dough for up to 6 months.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
Do you like cookie recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Use an electric hand mixer to whisk the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, whisk in the egg.
- Reduce the speed of your hand mixer and gently whisk in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Make sure no dry pockets remain in your cookie dough.
- Gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout your cookie dough.
- Use a cookie scoop or a large spoon to drop balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly into a thick disc. Bake for 11 minutes.
- Let your cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes and then move them to a wire cooling rack. Enjoy!
Notes
- Freeze your cranberry white chocolate cookie dough for up to 6 months, so you can bake it whenever you like.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted, so the cookies don't spread too much and turn out flat.
- Use a #40 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to ensure all of the cookies are the same size so they bake evenly.
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