White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Delight in these rich and chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, featuring a perfect blend of tangy fresh cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips. Enhanced with a hint of orange zest and vanilla, these cookies offer a festive twist on a classic treat, perfect for dessert or holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (12 Tbsp or 1.5 sticks)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Add-ins:
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (coarsely chopped, or 1 cup dried cranberries)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This creates a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Flavorings and Egg: Mix in the large egg, grated orange zest, and vanilla extract until fully combined, enhancing the dough with aromatic flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt to ensure even distribution in the dough.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until the dough comes together without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Incorporate Add-ins: Gently fold in the coarsely chopped fresh cranberries and white chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and place them at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to give them room to spread during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. If using dried cranberries instead of fresh, reduce baking time slightly to 11-13 minutes for optimal texture.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly before serving.
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Dried Cranberries: Using dried cranberries instead of fresh will result in a chewier cookie texture.
- Add Nuts: For added crunch and flavor, consider mixing in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature butter and egg for better integration and texture in the dough.
Keywords: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Cranberry Cookies, Holiday Cookies, White Chocolate Cookies, Festive Cookies, Dessert, Baking
