Description
These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are a perfect balance of sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and a hint of citrus from fresh orange zest. With a soft, chewy texture and festive flavor, they make a delightful treat for the holidays or any special occasion. These cookies are easy to make and can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or stored for later enjoyment. Try these delicious cookies for a holiday dessert or gift them to friends and family for a sweet surprise.
Ingredients
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
2 cups all-purpose flour (or your favorite gluten-free flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¾ cup white chocolate chips
2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped (or substitute 1 cup dried cranberries)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, followed by the orange zest and vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Fold in Add-Ins: Fold in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop to form dough into 1-inch balls, placing them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. (If using dried cranberries, bake for 11-13 minutes.)
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Cranberries: If using fresh cranberries, coarsely chop them to avoid large pieces disrupting the dough. Dried cranberries also work great and shorten the bake time slightly.
Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it has a binding agent like xanthan gum.
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies or the dough for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Makes about 24 cookies
- Calories: Approximately 120 kcal per cookie