Description
These cranberry cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with sweet-tart dried cranberries. Perfect for the holidays or anytime you want a festive, bakery-style cookie with bursts of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine the wet ingredients and add flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Cranberries and Chips: Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips if using, ensuring an even distribution throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough into balls and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden, signaling that the cookies are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set and maintain their chewy texture.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the cookies by removing them from the oven when centers are just set.
- Chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Substitute orange zest for vanilla extract or add it alongside for a festive holiday flavor boost.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to preserve freshness and chewiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack · Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
