White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies Recipe
These White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with vibrant flavors. Tart dried cranberries mingle with sweet white chocolate chips and zesty fresh orange, creating a perfect balance of taste for a festive treat. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy snack, these cookies have a tender crumb thanks to cornstarch and a delightful citrus aroma.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup (66g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh orange juice
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon (6g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (3g) fine salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup (140g) dried cranberries
- ¾ cup (130g) white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons (12g) orange zest
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Orange Juice: Mix in the egg and fresh orange juice until they are fully incorporated, enhancing the dough with moisture and bright citrus flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and fine salt to evenly distribute the rising agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing gently just until the ingredients come together to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Flavorful Add-ins: Carefully fold in the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and fresh orange zest, ensuring they are evenly spread throughout the dough for bursts of sweetness and tartness.
- Portion the Dough: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, form 1½ tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. The centers may still appear soft but will set as the cookies cool.
- Cool Properly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their chewy texture.
- Optional Garnish: While still warm, press extra white chocolate chips and dried cranberries on top for a decorative and flavorful finish. Sprinkle additional orange zest to enhance the citrus aroma and taste.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added; this helps maintain a tender crumb.
- Spacing the cookies properly on the baking sheet prevents them from merging.
- Adding extra chips and zest on top while warm gives an attractive presentation and boosts flavor.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: white chocolate cranberry cookies, orange zest cookies, chewy holiday cookies, citrus flavored cookies, festive cookie recipe, soft baked cookies