White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Name: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 cup granulated sugar; 4 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest; 2 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 large egg; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (chopped); 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips; 1 1/2 cups macadamia nuts (chopped (optional))

November 15, 2022 by Sandra 32 Comments

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These soft and chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are my favorite holiday treat.

A combination of white chocolate, orange, cranberries & macadamia nuts makes these cookies incredibly festive & beautiful.

I love baking for the holidays. I grew up baking cookies with my mom and sisters before Christmas Eve.

I always went for the chocolate; I didn’t consider myself a cookie fan. But as I started the holiday baking tradition with my kids, I realized I love cookies. While I could eat cookie dough all day long, nothing like a nice warm cookie with gooey chocolate, whether white or milk chocolate.

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are hands down my favorite. Packed with flavors that scream Christmas, I will bake a batch to freeze half of them for later, but it never happens.

These cookies are easy to make and a show stopper for a holiday treat plate.

Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Butter
Light brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Orange zest
Vanilla extract
Eggs
Flour
Baking powder & baking soda
Dried cranberries chopped
White chocolate chips
Macadamia nuts chopped (optional)

Let’s get baking

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars together until smooth. Add orange zest, vanilla, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.

To make the perfect cake, you must start with the right ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking soda. Then, gradually add this mixture to your creamed sugar mixture. With each spoonful, your cake will get closer and closer to perfection!

Stir in the cranberries, white chocolate chips, and macadamia nuts.

Drop by onto the prepared baking sheets, placing dough about 2 inches apart.

Bake one sheet at a time until lightly golden on top and the edges set for 12 to 15 minutes.

Cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Cookie Baking Tips:

Can you freeze these cookies?

All cookies can be frozen, but it is best to wrap them individually to freeze them and only do this once they have cooled completely. Another way to freeze them is to stack them in layers in a Ziplock or container, separating the layers using parchment paper. I personally love individually wrapping them as I feel they taste better.

How long will cookies stay fresh in an airtight container?

Properly stored, freshly baked cookies will last for about 2 to 3 weeks at normal room temperature and stored in an airtight container.

Can you freeze the dough?

The best way to store this cookie dough is by freezing it in portions. Scoop the dough onto parchment paper as if you were going to bake them, then wrap the parchment paper in plastic or place it in an airtight container.

When ready to bake, follow the recipe’s suggested temperature and preheat your oven. Place the frozen balls of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper 2 inches apart, only adding 1-2 minutes extra to the baking time.

Macadamia Nut Substitutions

Not a big Macadamia Nut fan or have an allergy? Or maybe you don’t want to pay the price tag for the macadamia nuts, which I understand too. Here are a few suggestions that make great substations and still work well with the flavors.

Almond Slices
Pecans
Walnuts
Grapenuts (cereal)

Love baking cookies? Check out my favorite recipes.

Peanut Butter Blossoms
Lemon Drop Cookies
The Best M&M Cookies
Grandma’s Ginger Cookies

Are you looking for more? Find all my cookie recipes here!

Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!

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4.77 from 34 votes