Name: White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup Butter, Softened; 3/4 cup Brown Sugar; 1/4 cup Sugar; 1 Egg; 2 tsp Vanilla Extract; 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 2 tsp Cornstarch; 1 tsp Baking Soda; 3/4 cup White Chocolate Chips; 1 cup Dried Cranberries

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If you’re looking for a cookie that perfectly balances cozy sweetness with a burst of tartness, you have to try these irresistible White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies. They’re soft, tender, and filled with juicy dried cranberries and luscious white chocolate chips, making every bite feel like a warm hug, especially during the holiday season or any time you want a special treat. This delightful combination not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also brings a beautiful pop of color and flavor that keeps people coming back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are simple yet essential in creating the perfect texture and flavor that make White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies stand out. Each one plays a unique role, from adding richness to providing chewiness and that lovely tender crumb.

3/4 cup Butter, Softened: Provides a creamy base and helps create that soft cookie texture.
3/4 cup Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness perfect for balance.
1/4 cup Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps with a slight crisp edge.
1 Egg: Binds the ingredients together and gives structure to the dough.
2 tsp Vanilla: Infuses warmth and depth of flavor that complements both white chocolate and cranberries.
2 cups Flour: The main structure builder that forms the body of the cookie.
2 tsp Cornstarch: Keeps cookies tender and soft by limiting gluten development.
1 tsp Baking Soda: Provides gentle leavening for lightness and perfect rise.
3/4 cup White Chocolate Chips: Bursts of creamy sweetness that pair beautifully with tart cranberries.
1 cup Dried Cranberries: Gives chewy texture and tangy flavor that balances the sweetness.

How to Make White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating the softened butter, brown sugar, and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This step is essential because properly creaming incorporates air into the dough, which ultimately helps the cookies stay soft and light.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. The egg gives the cookies structure, while the vanilla adds that inviting flavor foundation you’ll love.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate small bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and baking soda together. Combining these dry ingredients ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed, giving your cookies an even rise without any bitter pockets.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, beating as you go until a cohesive dough forms. This gradual mixing keeps the texture just right — soft but stable enough to hold those beautiful mix-ins.

Step 5: Fold in White Chocolate Chips and Dried Cranberries

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries using a spatula. This ensures the chips and berries stay whole and get evenly spread throughout each cookie, so every bite has those delicious pockets of sweetness and tartness.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour. Chilling solidifies the fat in the dough, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and enhances their chewiness.

Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures even baking and easy cookie removal without any sticking.

Step 8: Scoop and Bake

Scoop approximately 1 1/2 inch balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between each to allow for spreading. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden but the centers remain soft and gooey.

How to Serve White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Garnishes

For a lovely presentation, sprinkle a few extra white chocolate chips or dried cranberries on top of the cookies right after baking while they are still warm. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a festive touch that feels extra special.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of tea, rich hot chocolate, or even a cold glass of milk. The creamy drinks complement the sweet and tart flavors flawlessly, turning snack time or dessert into a mini celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve a stack tied with a rustic ribbon for gift-giving, or arrange them around a cheese board paired with nuts and fruits for an unexpected sweet element. You can even sandwich them with a dollop of cream cheese frosting for a delightful twist on the classic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keeping them sealed helps maintain their softness while preserving the fresh flavors of the cranberries and white chocolate.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough or fully baked cookies! For dough, shape into balls, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to three months. For baked cookies, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, simply thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

Warm the cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes to bring back that freshly baked softness and to melt the white chocolate chips just a touch. This simple step makes them taste like they just came out of your kitchen oven.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh cranberries for dried ones?

Fresh cranberries have much higher moisture content and tartness compared to dried cranberries, which will affect the cookie’s texture and sweetness. Dried cranberries are best because they add chewiness and balanced flavor without making the dough too wet.

Why do these cookies use cornstarch?

Cornstarch is key to achieving a tender, soft cookie crumb. It limits gluten development in the flour, which keeps the cookies from being tough or dense.

Can I use white chocolate chunks instead of chips?

Absolutely! White chocolate chunks will melt slightly differently, creating little pockets of gooey sweetness, which many find delightful. Just be mindful that chunks may cause the cookies to spread a bit differently.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps solidify the fats, preventing excessive spreading during baking and resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie. While you can skip this step, chilling improves both texture and flavor.

How long do these cookies keep fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies stay fresh for about five days. After that, they may start to dry out or lose their soft texture.

Final Thoughts

If you want to fill your kitchen with the warm aroma of something truly special, give these White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies a try. Their delightful balance of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate, wrapped in a soft, tender cookie, makes them an absolute crowd-pleaser. I promise, once you taste one, these cookies will quickly become one of your favorite go-to treats for any time you want a cozy, flavorful bite.