White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are a delightful balance of creamy white chocolate and tangy dried cranberries. These chewy cookies feature a soft interior with slightly crispy edges, perfect for holiday treats, gifting, or everyday snacking. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, they deliver irresistible flavor in every bite.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25-27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips or chunks
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Measure and set out all ingredients for efficiency.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes, to incorporate air for a tender texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined, creating a smooth, creamy base for the dough.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients and Add-ins: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated to avoid overmixing. Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop dough balls about 1.5 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or spoon. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden but centers remain soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or store for later snacking.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for better creaming and fluffier cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough; it can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill dough for at least 30 minutes if time allows to help cookies hold their shape and develop flavors.
- Measure flour accurately by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dry cookies.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and assure even baking.
- For variations, add nuts like walnuts or pecans, swap white chocolate chips for chunks, or try dark chocolate.
- To make vegan, use vegan butter, egg substitutes like flax or chia eggs, and dairy-free white chocolate chips.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray then transfer to freezer bags; bake from frozen adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
- Reheat cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes to regain softness and melty chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: white chocolate cranberry cookies, chewy cookies, holiday cookies, baking, white chocolate desserts, cranberry treats