Name: Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1¾ cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup dried cranberries; ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)

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These Cranberry Cookies Recipe offers a delightful combination of soft, chewy texture and bursts of sweet-tart dried cranberries that taste like a festive dream in every bite. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or simply craving an irresistible treat, this recipe guarantees bakery-style cookies that warm your heart and brighten your day. The balance of flavors and textures makes these cookies truly unforgettable and perfect to share with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a wooden board with various baking ingredients placed neatly in bowls and loose on the surface. There is a large white bowl filled with white flour positioned on the top right. To the left of the flour bowl, there is a block of butter wrapped in paper and a container of brown sugar in a small white bowl. Below the butter, an orange fruit is placed next to an egg. A small brown bottle of vanilla extract lies beside the egg. In front of the vanilla bottle, there is a tiny white bowl with coarse salt. On the bottom right, there is a small orange bowl filled with bright red cranberries and a white bowl with sliced almonds spilling over slightly. The warm, natural colors of the ingredients contrast with the white marbled surface underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are refreshingly simple, yet each one plays a critical role in creating the perfect cranberry cookie. From the creamy butter adding richness to the tart cranberries providing that vibrant pop, every component builds layers of flavor and texture you will love.

½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies tender and moist.
¾ cup brown sugar: Adds warmth and depth with its molasses note for softness and subtle sweetness.
¼ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness while helping the cookies to crisp slightly at the edges.
1 large egg: Acts as the binder holding all the ingredients together perfectly.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Brings a comforting aroma and subtle sweetness enhancing overall flavor.
1¾ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure while allowing a tender crumb.
½ tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise beautifully with just the right amount of spread.
¼ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
1 cup dried cranberries: The star ingredient offering sweet-tart bursts and lovely chewy texture.
½ cup white chocolate chips (optional): Adds creamy sweetness that melts delightfully in every bite.

How to Make Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot when your dough is ready to bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies come off easily without sticking, keeping clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is super important because the air you incorporate now will give your cookies that soft, tender texture you’re craving.

Step 3: Mix in the Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until combined. These ingredients add moisture and deepen the sweet flavors, making the dough lush and inviting.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, which helps the cookies bake evenly and bring out their full flavor.

Step 5: Gradually Add Dry to Wet Mixture

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently but thoroughly. The dough will come together nicely, not too stiff and not too loose, perfect for scooping.

Step 6: Fold in Dried Cranberries and White Chocolate Chips

Carefully fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, if you’re using them. These tasty additions bring bursts of chewy tang and creamy sweetness that turn every cookie into a special treat.

Step 7: Scoop the Dough and Bake

Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to prevent crowding as they spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers remain soft for ultimate chewiness.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to cool on the pan for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This rest lets the cookies set without becoming crumbly, ensuring perfect texture from first bite to last.

How to Serve Cranberry Cookies Recipe

A close-up of pale yellow cookies with rough texture, mixed with bright red and dark red berry pieces, stacked in a white rectangular tray lined with white crinkled parchment paper. The cookies have a soft, slightly uneven surface with berry bits melting into the dough, showing juicy, glossy patches of red. The tray rests on a gray, white, and beige checkered cloth, all on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies to add a visually delightful and tasty finishing touch. You can also top with chopped nuts for extra crunch and color.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea, a frothy cappuccino, or even a cold glass of milk. Their sweet-tart profile refreshes the palate, making your snack moments extra cozy and satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cranberry cookies in a festive tin lined with parchment paper for gifting or on a decorative platter surrounded by fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary. They also make charming cookie sandwiches with a swipe of cream cheese frosting or marshmallow fluff in between.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store baked cranberry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and chewy, just like fresh out of the oven.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls on a tray and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen with an extra minute or two added to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well in an airtight bag for longer storage.

Reheating

To refresh stored cookies, pop them in a warm oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave them for about 10 seconds to regain that just-baked softness and warmth.

FAQs

Can I substitute dried cranberries with fresh ones?

Fresh cranberries have a lot of moisture and tartness that will affect the cookie dough’s texture and baking time. Dried cranberries are preferred as they maintain chewiness without adding extra liquid.

Is it necessary to use white chocolate chips?

No, white chocolate chips are optional. They add a creamy sweetness that contrasts nicely with the tart cranberries, but you can leave them out or substitute with regular chocolate chips or nuts if you prefer.

How can I make the cookies chewier?

To get extra chewy cookies, try slightly underbaking them—just until the edges turn golden but the centers still seem soft. You can also chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking to help control spreading and texture.

Can I add other flavors to this Cranberry Cookies Recipe?

Definitely! Adding orange zest or a pinch of cinnamon infuses a festive holiday vibe. You could also experiment with adding chopped nuts for crunch or swapping vanilla extract for almond extract for a unique twist.

How many cookies does this recipe make?

This Cranberry Cookies Recipe yields about 24 medium-sized cookies, perfect for sharing or enjoying throughout the week.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you try this Cranberry Cookies Recipe, it will quickly climb to the top of your favorite cookie list. The soft, chewy texture combined with sweet-tart cranberries makes every bite a little celebration. Whether baked for special occasions or just because, these cookies will bring joy and warmth to your kitchen and heart. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and start baking your new go-to cranberry cookie masterpiece!