Name: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (170g); 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (150g); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g); 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (250g); 2 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup white chocolate chips (135g), plus extra for garnish; 1 cup dried cranberries (140g), plus extra for garnish

There’s something so comforting about biting into a soft, chewy cookie that surprises you with bursts of sweet white chocolate and tangy cranberries. This White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe has become a beloved staple in my kitchen for exactly that reason—each bite feels like a cozy hug, perfect for any time of year.

A close-up view of many round cookies piled together, each cookie showing a soft, golden-brown dough base with embedded pieces of dark red dried fruit and white chocolate chips scattered across the surface. The cookies have a slightly bumpy texture with small cracks, and the white chocolate chips sit on top, contrasting with the darker spots of fruit. The background is a white marbled texture, and the cookies fill the entire frame in no particular order. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe countless times and honestly, it never disappoints. It’s my go-to when I want something quick yet delightfully festive and comforting. Plus, the combo of flavors and textures is just spot on, making these cookies utterly addictive.

Soft-Baked Perfection: These cookies have that ideal chewy center and slightly crisp edges, giving you the best of both worlds.
Flavor Contrast: The sweetness of white chocolate chips pairs beautifully with the tartness of dried cranberries, making every bite interesting.
Simple to Make: Despite tasting fancy, the recipe uses basic pantry staples and straightforward steps anyone can follow.
Customizable Chill Time: The dough can chill from 1 hour up to 4 days, which makes prepping ahead super convenient.

The image shows a white round plate filled with stacked soft cookies. Each cookie has a light golden brown color with visible texture, dotted with dark red dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips. One cookie at the back is broken, showing the chewy inside with more cranberries and white chips. The plate sits on a pink surface with a white marbled texture, and there are some cookie crumbs near the plate edges. In the background, there is a small white bowl filled with dried cranberries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe really comes down to a few key ingredients that play off each other perfectly. Each one has a purpose, whether it’s for texture, flavor, or structure—here’s why they all matter.

Flat lay of a small square of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of white cornstarch powder, a small heap of baking soda powder, a small pile of salt granules, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dried cranberries, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates that tender, rich crumb you want in a soft cookie; it also helps the cookies spread just right.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth with its molasses content, enhancing chewiness and a subtle caramel flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Balances out the sweetness and helps with the right texture around the edges.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture, making these cookies soft yet sturdy.
Vanilla Extract: A generous hit of vanilla brings warmth and complexity to the overall flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, holding everything together while keeping the cookie tender with a light hand in measuring.
Cornstarch: A small addition that’s key for softness; it gives these cookies a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread and rise just right, contributing to their soft yet slightly puffy shape.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
White Chocolate Chips: Sweet, creamy pockets of goodness that contrast perfectly with the tangy cranberries.
Dried Cranberries: Their tartness cuts through the sweetness and adds chewy bursts of flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love encouraging a bit of creativity with this White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe. It’s flexible enough to suit different tastes and even dietary needs while keeping that signature soft, chewy texture intact.

Variation: I sometimes swap the dried cranberries for dried cherries or blueberries for a fruitier twist. It’s equally delicious and gives it a fresh spin.
Nutty Upgrade: Adding a handful of chopped macadamia nuts or pecans gives a lovely crunch and depth — perfect if you like texture contrasts.
Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter, and be sure to check your white chocolate chips are dairy-free — this swaps seamlessly without losing charm.
Flavor Boost: A pinch of cinnamon or orange zest in the dough can elevate the festive vibes if you're baking around holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes. You want this mixture smooth and creamy—this step traps air and helps your cookies stay soft and tender. Don’t rush it; if you're unsure, here’s a quick tutorial to nail creaming butter and sugar perfectly every time.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Once your butter and sugars are well combined, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. This not only helps bind ingredients but gives your cookie dough richness and that inviting aroma you're already going to love. Make sure to scrape the bowl sides to mix everything evenly.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately, Then Combine

Whisk the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add this mixture to your wet ingredients on low speed to avoid overmixing. The dough should end up soft and thick, a good sign you’re on track for those perfect soft cookies.

Step 4: Fold in White Chocolate Chips and Dried Cranberries

Now, gently stir in your white chocolate chips and dried cranberries on low speed until evenly incorporated. Seeing the dough dotted with those sweet and tart morsels is pure joy—it hints at what’s coming!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover that dough tightly and pop it in your fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 3-4 days if you want to prep ahead. Chilling is crucial—it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin and helps develop flavor and texture.

Step 6: Scoop, Shape, and Bake

When you're ready to bake, take the dough out. If it’s been chilling longer than 3-4 hours, let it rest for about 30 minutes to soften slightly, which helps when scooping. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C), line your baking sheets, then roll dough into balls about 1.5 tablespoons each, spacing them well apart.

Bake for 11-12 minutes until you see light golden edges but soft centers. If your cookies don’t spread much in the oven, a gentle bounce or two of the pan on your counter while they’re warm works wonders to achieve that classic cookie shape.

Step 7: Final Touches and Cooling

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, and if you want to add a little flair, press a few extra white chocolate chips and cranberries on top while they’re still warm. This step is purely for looks but trust me, it gives them that bakery-fresh charm. Afterward, transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

From making this White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really help make your baking smoother and the outcome perfect.

Chill Time is Key: Don’t skip chilling the dough—this controls spreading and solidifies flavors.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping straight from the bag. This keeps cookies from turning dense.
Don’t Overbake: Slightly underbaking keeps centers soft; cookies will firm up as they cool.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend beautifully and your batter comes together effortless.

How to Serve White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually press a few extra white chocolate chips and dried cranberries on warm cookies—they not only make them look irresistible but add those little bursts of flavour on top. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely touch, especially during the holidays.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a warm mug of chai tea, coffee, or hot chocolate—comforting beverages really bring together the whole experience. If you’re serving them at a party, a bowl of fresh fruit or nut mix complements nicely without overshadowing the cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies on tiered dessert stands lined with festive parchment paper. Wrapping small stacks tied with twine or ribbon also makes for charming homemade gifts that people rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your cookies are completely cool, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for up to a week—though between us, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If I want to prep ahead, I freeze formed cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. When I’m ready to bake, I pop them straight into a preheated oven, just increasing the baking time by a few minutes. This way, fresh cookies are always just minutes away.

Reheating

To bring cookies back to that just-baked warmth, I like to microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds or warm a few in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The white chocolate chips get melty again, and the edges regain a bit of crispness while the center stays soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute dried cranberries with another fruit?

Yes! Dried cherries, blueberries, or even chopped dried apricots work wonderfully in this cookie recipe. Just keep the quantity the same for a similar texture and flavor balance.

How important is chilling the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing cookies from over-spreading during baking. It also enhances the flavor and improves the overall texture, making the cookies soft and chewy instead of flat and crispy.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the unsalted butter with a dairy-free vegan butter and ensure your white chocolate chips are dairy-free. This swap maintains the cookie’s soft texture and delicious flavor.

How should I store leftover cookies?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep soft and fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is also a great option.

Final Thoughts

This White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe has truly become one of those feel-good bakes I’m always excited to share with friends and family. Its softness and balanced flavors make every bite memorable and comforting. I hope you give it a try—you’ll find it’s a simple yet impressive cookie that quickly becomes a favorite in your home, just like it did in mine. Happy baking!