Description
Delight in these soft and chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, bursting with tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips. Enhanced with fresh orange zest and vanilla, these cookies are perfect for a festive treat or any time you crave a balance of fruity and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (12 Tbsp or 1.5 sticks)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 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 your preferred gluten-free flour blend, measured correctly)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (8 oz. bag), coarsely chopped, or substitute with 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the Egg: Add the egg and beat well to incorporate thoroughly into the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
- Flavor the Dough: Mix in the grated orange zest and vanilla extract until evenly combined to infuse the dough with bright, aromatic flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined and a cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Incorporate Add-ins: Using a stiff spatula, fold in the chopped fresh cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the dough into 1-inch balls for uniform baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown. For dried cranberries, bake approximately 11-13 minutes as they require less time.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these delightful cookies fresh with a glass of cold milk or your favorite beverage.
Notes
- Substituting dried cranberries for fresh will change the baking time slightly and results in a chewier texture.
- Room temperature ingredients help create a smooth, creamy dough and better texture.
- Measure flour properly by spooning into measuring cup and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
- White chocolate chips can be refrigerated beforehand to prevent melting during mixing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
