White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that blends sweet, tart, and nutty flavors into a delightful, chewy treat, then these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are just what you need. They are an ideal combination of smooth, creamy white chocolate, tangy dried cranberries, and crunchy macadamia nuts. This cookie recipe is a must-have for those cozy afternoons with a hot cup of coffee or as a perfect addition to your holiday baking list.

Why You’ll Love White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These cookies bring together a unique blend of flavors that offer a twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie. The sweetness of white chocolate is balanced by the tartness of dried cranberries, while the macadamia nuts add a satisfying crunch. It’s the kind of cookie that feels luxurious and festive, making it a great option for gift-giving or a holiday cookie platter.

The best part? These cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients and take less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Let’s dive into what makes these cookies so special and walk through the recipe step-by-step.

For more of our favorite cookies, check these out:

• Monster Cookies
• Easy Texas Sheet Cake Cookies Recipe
• Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
• Healthy Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

For the Cookies:

• ½ cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup raw sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• ¾ cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. Lining the sheets helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and raw sugar. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is light and smooth. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Mix in the Vanilla and Egg

Add the vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, followed by the egg. Beat on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated. The egg helps bind the ingredients together and gives the cookies their chewy texture.

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients

Next, add the flour and baking soda to the mixture. Mix on low speed until the flour is just combined with the wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. You want the dough to be smooth and cohesive.

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Using a spatula or a wooden spoon, gently fold in the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and chopped macadamia nuts. These mix-ins are what give the cookies their signature flavor and texture, so be sure to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.

Step 6: Portion Out the Dough

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Place each portion about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking. These cookies don’t spread a lot, but it’s still best to give them some space to bake evenly.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The key to perfect cookies is to remove them from the oven when the centers are just set and the edges are starting to turn golden. This ensures a soft and chewy interior.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Once the cookies are done baking, remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 3-5 minutes. This helps the cookies firm up slightly without overbaking. Then, transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Storage Tips

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure to place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together.

Why This Recipe Works

1. Salted Butter for Balance: Using salted butter adds a subtle, savory element that enhances the sweetness of the white chocolate and complements the tartness of the cranberries.
2. Room Temperature Egg: Baking with a room temperature egg helps the ingredients mix more evenly, resulting in a smoother dough and a consistent texture in the cookies.
3. Mix-Ins Galore: The combination of dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and macadamia nuts gives these cookies a unique and luxurious feel. The cranberries add a pop of tartness, while the macadamia nuts contribute a satisfying crunch and a buttery flavor.

Pro Tips for Perfect White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

1. Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have the time, you can chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and can enhance the texture, making them a bit chewier.
2. Use Fresh Dried Cranberries: Be sure your dried cranberries are still soft and chewy. If they’ve become too dry, soak them in warm water for a few minutes, then drain and pat them dry before adding them to the dough.
3. Measure Flour Correctly: To avoid dense cookies, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Too much flour can make the cookies dry and heavy.

Why You Should Try These Cookies

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are perfect for almost any occasion. They’re festive enough for the holidays but simple enough to make on a casual weekend. The combination of sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and crunchy macadamia nuts makes these cookies a crowd-pleaser.

Whether you’re baking them for a cookie swap, gifting them to friends, or just enjoying them at home, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Plus, with a prep time of just 5 minutes and a bake time of 10-12 minutes, you can have a batch ready in no time.

Give these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies a try, and enjoy a sweet and tangy treat that’s sure to delight!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

This twist on chocolate chip cookies combines the sweetness of white chocolate, the tartness of cranberries, and the crunch of macadamia nuts, a match made in heaven.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Total Time17 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookies, dried cranberries, macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips, White chocolate macadamia nut cookies

Servings: 32

Ingredients

• ½ C Salted Butter softened
• 1 c raw sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg room temperature
• 1 ½ c all purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 c dried cranberries
• ¾ c white chocolate chips
• ¾ c macadamia nuts chopped

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bow, combine the cream and raw sugar, cream until smooth.
• Next, add in the vanilla and egg, mixing until incorporated.
• Add in the flour and baking soda, mixing until thoroughly combined.
• Fold in the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts until combined.
• Drop about 2 tablespoons of dough onto baking sheet, placing about 2” apart.
• Allow to bake for 10-12 minutes until the center has just set.
• Cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.