Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
You’ll love these Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies because they are the perfect blend of chewy texture and delightful flavors. With sweet white chocolate morsels paired with tart dried cranberries, these cookies make for a fantastic treat any time of year. Whether for holiday gatherings, a cozy evening at home, or just as a special dessert, these cookies bring joy to every occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistibly Chewy: These cookies are soft-baked and wonderfully chewy, making each bite a delight.
- Easy to Make: The straightforward steps ensure that even novice bakers can succeed.
- Versatile Flavors: The combination of sweet white chocolate and tart cranberries offers a unique flavor profile that pleases everyone.
- Chill for Perfection: Chilling the dough enhances texture and prevents spreading, ensuring perfect cookies every time.
- Stays Fresh: These cookies remain fresh for up to a week when stored properly.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start baking, gather your tools to make the process smoother. Using the right equipment ensures your Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies turn out perfectly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer or handheld mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Wire cooling rack
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer or handheld mixer: Helps achieve a creamy batter quickly and efficiently.
- Mixing bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients without mess.
- Baking sheets: Provides an even surface for cookie baking, ensuring uniform results.
Ingredients
To create your Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (135g) white chocolate chips, plus a few extra for garnish
- 1 cup (140g) dried cranberries, plus a few extra for garnish
How to Make Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until combined and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients on low speed until just combined. The cookie dough will be soft and thick. Add in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Mix on low speed until everything is well incorporated. Cover dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 3–4 days.
Step 3: Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets
Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator. If chilled longer than 3–4 hours, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. Place them about 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. The dough may seem crumbly but will come together as you handle it.
Step 5: Bake Your Cookies
Bake for 11–12 minutes until lightly browned around the edges while keeping the centers soft. If they didn’t spread much, lightly bang the baking sheets against the counter while still warm to help them stretch.
Step 6: Cool Down
Let your Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. You can press extra white chocolate chips and dried cranberries into each warm cookie top at this stage if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies! Perfectly suited for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
How to Serve Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
These soft-baked white chocolate cranberry cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re serving them at a gathering or enjoying them at home, here are some creative ideas to enhance your cookie experience.
With a Glass of Milk
- A classic pairing that complements the sweetness of the cookies. The creaminess of milk balances the flavors perfectly.
As Part of a Dessert Platter
- Arrange these cookies alongside other desserts like brownies and fruit tarts for an inviting dessert spread at parties.
Warm with Ice Cream
- Serve freshly baked cookies warm with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream on top for an indulgent treat.
Gift Wrapped
- Package cookies in decorative boxes as thoughtful gifts. They make wonderful presents for friends and family on special occasions.
With Coffee or Tea
- Enjoy these cookies alongside your favorite coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon snack. The flavors meld beautifully together.
At Cookie Decorating Parties
- Host a fun gathering where guests can decorate their own cookies with icing and sprinkles. This adds a personal touch to each cookie.
How to Perfect Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Achieving the ideal texture and flavor in soft-baked white chocolate cranberry cookies is easy with these helpful tips.
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Chill the Dough: Allowing the dough to chill for at least one hour helps prevent spreading, ensuring thicker, chewier cookies.
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Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Incorporating room temperature butter and eggs creates a smoother batter and better texture.
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Do Not Overbake: Keep an eye on baking time; removing them when they’re still soft in the center leads to a perfect chewy cookie.
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Press Extra Toppings: For added visual appeal, press extra white chocolate chips and cranberries into the tops right after baking.
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Store Properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness for up to one week.
Best Side Dishes for Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Pairing side dishes with your soft-baked white chocolate cranberry cookies can elevate your dessert experience. Here are some delightful options:
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Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream enhances the sweetness of the cookies while adding a cool contrast.
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Fresh Berries: A mix of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries offers a tart balance that complements the cookie’s sweetness.
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Chocolate Fondue: Melted chocolate served for dipping creates an interactive dessert experience that’s sure to impress guests.
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Cheese Platter: A selection of mild cheeses can provide a savory counterpart to sweet treats, making it an interesting combination.
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Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad adds brightness and lightness, contrasting nicely with rich flavors of the cookies.
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Nut Mix: A simple mix of nuts can provide crunch and saltiness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of your dessert table.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, small mistakes can lead to less-than-perfect results. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Not chilling the dough: Failing to chill the dough can result in cookies that spread too much. Always chill for at least 1 hour to ensure the right texture.
- Overmixing the dough: Mixing too long after adding dry ingredients can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined for a soft and chewy texture.
- Incorrect measuring of flour: Using too much flour can make cookies dry. Use spooned and leveled flour for accuracy.
- Skipping the extra mix-ins: Not adding extra white chocolate chips or cranberries on top means missing out on visual appeal. Press them in before cooling for a beautiful finish.
- Baking at the wrong temperature: Baking at an incorrect temperature can affect cookie texture. Ensure your oven is preheated properly to 350°F (177°C).
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking.
Freezing Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Freeze cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to an airtight container.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (177°C) and heat cookies for about 5 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat one cookie for about 10-15 seconds until warm.
- Stovetop: Warm on low heat in a skillet for a couple of minutes, flipping occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies.
What makes Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies soft?
Soft-baked cookies have a higher moisture content due to the butter and eggs used, combined with chilling the dough, which helps maintain their softness during baking.
Can I substitute white chocolate chips?
You can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips as alternatives. This will change the flavor profile but remain delicious!
How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
Cookies are done when they are lightly browned around the edges but still look soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool.
Can I add nuts to these cookies?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can add a nice crunch and flavor contrast to your Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies.
Final Thoughts
These Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are not only soft and chewy but also versatile. You can customize them with various mix-ins or adjust sweetness levels according to your taste. Give this recipe a try; it’s sure to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen!
Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the joy of baking with these Soft-Baked White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, a delightful treat that perfectly balances chewy texture and sweet-tart flavors. With soft morsels of white chocolate paired with tangy dried cranberries, these cookies are ideal for any occasion—be it holiday gatherings or cozy nights in. Easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious, this recipe guarantees cookies that will warm your heart and satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or share them as thoughtful gifts; either way, they’re sure to impress!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually combine with the wet ingredients until just mixed.
- Stir in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Chill the dough for at least one hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Scoop dough into balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 11–12 minutes until edges are lightly browned but centers remain soft. Cool before enjoying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 139
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
