Soft and Chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies : A Festive Holiday Treat Everyone Will Love

Posted on November 4, 2025 ·

By Lyndy

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are so delicious and festive. Soft and chewy cranberry cookies studded with white chocolate chips and orange zest, create the perfect balance of sweetness from the white chocolate and the tartness of cranberry.

Few desserts capture the magic of the holiday season quite like White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. With their buttery soft texture, tart bursts of cranberry, and creamy white chocolate chips, these cookies are a must-bake for Christmas and any winter celebration.

Perfectly balanced in sweetness and color, they’re festive, flavorful, and irresistibly chewy. Whether you’re preparing your annual Christmas cookie recipes, planning a cookie exchange, or simply craving something comforting on a chilly evening, these cookies are your go-to.

If you’re a fan of cozy winter bakes, you’ll also adore Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies, Twix Cookies, and Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars — each one perfect for festive sharing.

Why You’ll Love These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These cookies are the perfect marriage of tart and sweet. The dried cranberries bring a pop of tang that pairs beautifully with the creamy richness of white chocolate. Meanwhile, the soft, buttery cookie dough delivers that melt-in-your-mouth texture every cookie lover dreams of.

Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:

Soft and chewy texture: No crunchy edges here — just perfect, tender bites.
Festive look: Red cranberries and white chocolate create a cheerful holiday contrast.
Easy and reliable: Simple ingredients, no chilling, and bakes in under 15 minutes.
Perfect for gifting: These cookies stay soft for days, making them ideal for holiday boxes.
Freezer-friendly: Make ahead for your Christmas baking marathon.

Love chewy cookie recipes? Try Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies for another bakery-style favorite that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These cookies use pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully.

Dry Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add-ins:

1 cup (150g) dried cranberries
1 cup (175g) white chocolate chips or chunks

Optional: ½ teaspoon orange zest for a bright, citrus twist.

If you love citrus-infused sweets, you’ll also enjoy the tangy flavor of Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Bites — another light yet festive treat.

Essential Kitchen Tools

You won’t need any fancy equipment to make these cookies — just reliable basics:

Electric mixer or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Rubber spatula
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Cooling rack
Measuring cups and spoons

These same tools are perfect for other cookie recipes, like the sweetly spiced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies, another comforting favorite.

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies – Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars until creamy and fluffy. This helps give your cookies that perfect chewy center.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. The extra yolk adds richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.

Step 5: Add Cranberries and White Chocolate

Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed. The dough will smell incredible — festive and buttery!

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers look soft.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them finish setting without losing their softness.

For another simple yet impressive dessert, check out Apple Pie Dip with Cinnamon Sugar Chips. It’s a warm, cozy treat perfect for any gathering.

Tips for Perfect Soft Chewy Cranberry Cookies

Don’t overbake: Remove cookies when centers still look slightly underdone — they’ll set as they cool.
Use room temperature ingredients: Cold butter or eggs can cause uneven baking.
Weigh your flour: Too much can make cookies dry. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
Add an egg yolk: It boosts richness and helps maintain chewiness.
Chill if needed: If dough feels sticky, chill for 20 minutes before baking.

These techniques also work beautifully for Soft Chewy Cookies like the Twix Cookies — buttery, rich, and indulgent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple cookie recipes can go wrong without a few key details. Avoid these pitfalls:

Overmixing the dough — it can make cookies tough.
Baking on warm trays — always cool pans between batches.
Using old baking soda — it affects rise and texture.
Skipping parchment paper — it prevents spreading and ensures even baking.

For guaranteed success every time, try Pumpkin Twists, another foolproof pastry that’s ideal for festive baking.

Recipe Variations and Creative Twists

These cookies are versatile and adaptable — try one of these creative spins:

White Chocolate Macadamia Cranberry Cookies: Add chopped macadamia nuts for crunch.
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies: Replace ½ cup of flour with rolled oats for a heartier texture.
Orange-Cranberry Cookies: Add orange zest or a drop of orange extract for a bright citrus note.
White Chocolate Peppermint Cranberry Cookies: Stir in crushed peppermint for a holiday twist.

If you like experimenting with seasonal flavors, don’t miss Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies, another festive favorite.

Holiday Baking Ideas and Pairings

These cookies fit perfectly into your holiday dessert spread. Serve them on a platter with red and green candies, or pair them with mugs of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee.

For a complete Holiday Baking lineup, add these to your list:

Each one adds warmth, spice, and sweetness to your celebration.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Tips

This recipe is ideal for make-ahead bakers who love stress-free holiday prep.

Make-ahead: Prepare the dough, scoop into balls, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bake when ready.

Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1 extra minute to the baking time.

Love freezer-friendly recipes? Try Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches for your morning meal prep.

Serving and Presentation Tips

These cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Their pops of red and white make them ideal for gifting or decorating dessert tables.

Stack and wrap in clear cellophane tied with ribbon for edible gifts.
Arrange on a tiered cookie stand with other festive treats.
Add a dusting of powdered sugar “snow” for Christmas flair.
Serve warm with a cup of Lavender Lemonade for a sweet winter afternoon.

FAQs About White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Dried cranberries work best. Fresh ones add too much moisture.

Can I substitute the butter?
You can use vegan butter or margarine, but flavor and texture may vary slightly.

Do I have to chill the dough?
No, but chilling helps control spreading if your kitchen is warm.

Can I use other chocolate?
Yes! Try milk or dark chocolate for a richer flavor.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

For more cookie inspiration, you’ll love Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Expand your holiday baking lineup with these crowd-pleasing recipes from Lyndy’s Kitchen:

Each one offers a new way to celebrate the season through flavor and creativity.

Why These Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Christmas Baking List

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are soft, chewy, festive, and bursting with flavor. They combine the tartness of cranberries with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate in a buttery dough that’s perfectly balanced and beautifully golden.

They’re easy enough for beginner bakers yet elegant enough for gifting or Christmas dessert trays. Once you make them, they’ll become an annual holiday tradition.

If you love celebrating the season through baking, don’t miss Pumpkin Twists and Apple Crisp with Oatmeal — two more cozy recipes that bring joy to the table.

Save