• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

    White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

    Published: Nov 26, 2021 · Modified: May 4, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

    These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, buttery and sweet. They’re an easy to make (no chilling), festive cookie perfect for the holidays.

    overhead view of 9 White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

    There's something about the combination of white chocolate and cranberry that is perfect for the holiday season. Whether it's the colors or the flavors or both, these white chocolate cranberry cookies are a delicious treat to make during the most wonderful time of the year!

    These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, buttery and sweet.

    They’re an easy to make (no chilling), festive cookie that would make a great addition to any holiday cookie tray.

    front view of a stack of 4 White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies with one cookie leaning against the stack

    Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

    front shot of the ingredients in this White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies recipe
    • All-purpose flour.  For a gluten-free version substitute a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour.
    • Fine sea salt. Use fine (not coarse) sea salt. If using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half. 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter. 
    • Granulated sugar. I recommend using organic cane sugar or regular white sugar - I don't use sugar substitutes so I can't recommend them, but if you try it let me know in the comments. 
    • Light brown sugar.  I don't recommend making substitutions for the light brown sugar in this recipe.
    • White chocolate chips. Use a high-quality, white chocolate chip made with real cocoa butter (read the ingredients)!! Some brands I recommend: Whole Foods 365 White Chocolate Baking Chips, Cacaoholic, and Callebaut. I used Toll House in this post but they're not made with real cocoa butter! 
    • Dried Cranberries. You technically can substitute any dried fruit you'd like (dried cherries are delicious), but the cranberries are a namesake ingredient and as such, I don't recommend leaving them out.
    White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies on a plate with other cookies around it

    How to make white chocolate cookies with cranberries

    This recipe is very simple and straightforward. We'll walk through the steps together and don't forget to watch the video.

    Begin by combining the dry ingredients, then set them aside.

    two overhead photos showing how to make cranberry white chocolate cookies - combining dry ingredients

    In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy – about 1 minute.

    two overhead photos showing how to make cranberry white chocolate cookies - beating butter and sugars together

    Next, add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.

    Then, add the dry ingredients, half at a time, beating on low speed after each addition.

    two overhead photos showing how to make cranberry white chocolate cookies - adding egg and dry ingredients

    Next, add the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

    two overhead photos showing how to make cranberry white chocolate cookies - adding cranberries and white chocolate chips

    The dough should be firm but not dry (as pictured below).

    front view of the white chocolate chip cranberry cookie dough

    Use a 1.5 to 2 TBS cookie scoop to measure out portions of dough, roll them into balls and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.

    Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the top is just set and just barely beginning to turn light golden brown.

    Do not overbake. The cookies won't look fully done and that is exactly how they should look (just like this chocolate chip cookie recipe).

    two overhead photos showing how to make cranberry white chocolate cookies - before and after baking on a baking sheet

    Remove from the oven and let the white chocolate chip cranberry cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Store

    Once cooled, store these white chocolate chip cranberry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.

    7 cranberry white chocolate cookies on a wire cooling rack

    How to freeze

    You can freeze these cranberry white chocolate cookies two ways: 

    1. Freeze the dough before baking.  Simply portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Then place it on a baking sheet and flash-freeze the balls until hardened. Once hardened, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container until you're ready to bake.
      1. To bake: remove the dough from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2 hours before baking according to the recipe instructions.  This is my preferred method, because you can bake them fresh when you're ready to enjoy them. 
    2. Freeze baked cookies. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool to room temperature. Then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. 
      1. To thaw: let the white chocolate and cranberry cookies sit out at room temperature until thawed. You can also warm them in the oven set to 250 degrees F, in a baking dish covered with foil (or a lid) until warmed through. 
    5 Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies on a rectangular platter with other cookies around it

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, this recipe doubles very well. You can click on the "2X" button in the recipe card for ingredient measurements of a double recipe.

    What are the best white chocolate chips?

    Use a high-quality, white chocolate chip made with real cocoa butter (read the ingredients)! Some brands I recommend: Whole Foods 365 White Chocolate Baking Chips, Cacaoholic, and Callebaut.

    Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

    Yes, you can. You just need to coarsely chop them into small pieces so they bake evenly in the cookies.

    up close photo of two Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

    White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

    Laura
    These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, buttery and sweet. They’re an easy to make (no chilling), festive cookie perfect for the holidays.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Cooling 15 mins
    Total Time 33 mins
    Course cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 Cookies
    Calories 191 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • baking sheet
    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • Parchment Paper
    • cookie scoop

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup salted butter softened
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 egg
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ¼ tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp fine sea salt
    • ½ cup white chocolate chips
    • ½ cup dried cranberries

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, combine baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy – about 1 minute.
    • Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
    • Add half of the dry ingredients, beat on low speed until combined.
    • Add the rest of the dry ingredients and beat until combined.
    • Add white chocolate chips and cranberries and stir until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
    • Use a 2 TBS cookie scoop to measure out portions of dough, roll them into balls and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the top is just set and just barely beginning to turn light golden brown.
    • Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes.
    • Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • All-purpose flour.  For a gluten-free version substitute a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour.
    • Fine sea salt. Use fine (not coarse) sea salt. If using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half. 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter. 
    • Granulated sugar. I recommend using organic cane sugar or regular white sugar - I don't use sugar substitutes so I can't recommend them, but if you try it let me know in the comments. 
    • Light brown sugar.  I don't recommend making substitutions for the light brown sugar in this recipe.
    • White chocolate chips. Use a high-quality, white chocolate chip made with real cocoa butter (read the ingredients)!! Some brands I recommend: Whole Foods 365 White Chocolate Baking Chips, Cacaoholic, and Callebaut. I used Toll House in this post but they're not made with real cocoa butter! 
    • Dried Cranberries. You technically can substitute any dried fruit you'd like (dried cherries are delicious), but the cranberries are a namesake ingredient and as such, I don't recommend leaving them out.

    Store

    Once cooled, store these white chocolate chip cranberry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.

    How to freeze

    You can freeze these cranberry white chocolate cookies two ways:
    1. Freeze the dough before baking. portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Then place it on a baking sheet and flash-freeze the balls until hardened. Once hardened, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container until you're ready to bake. 1. To bake: remove the dough from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2 hours before baking according to the recipe instructions.
    2. Freeze baked cookies. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool to room temperature. Then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. 1. To thaw: let the white chocolate and cranberry cookies sit out at room temperature until thawed. You can also warm them in the oven set to 250 degrees F, in a baking dish covered with foil (or a lid) until warmed through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookieCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 169mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 194IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Best Oreo Pie Recipe
    Moments 11.2021 »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ericka Meyer

      January 14, 2023 at 11:36 am

      5 stars
      Wow - just made these cookies and they are delicious! 8min was perfect for my convection oven. Hopefully I’ll have enough left to take to a friend in an hour…..Thanks for a wonderful recipe.

      Reply
    2. Silvia Ly

      December 26, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      I had so many small bags of dried cranberries, so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it out, and I'm so glad I did! I made these cookies for our Christmas dinner, and they were a hit! Perfectly chewy and the flavor was great. The day after, my brother texted me and he wanted to place an order for these cookies haha! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 27, 2021 at 6:49 am

        Thank you so much Silvia! I'm so glad they made your holiday special and delicious! Merry Christmas!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)!
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Best Oatmeal Cookies
    • Best Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • Healthy Black Bean Brownies
    • Healthy Greek Yogurt Brownies
    • Best Flourless Brownies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    24 shares