If you’re craving a delightful treat that balances chewy texture, tart bursts, and sweet indulgence, the Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe is just what you need. These cookies bring together the wholesome goodness of oats, the tangy snap of fresh cranberries, the creamy richness of white chocolate, and the satisfying crunch of pecans. They’re perfect for cozy afternoons, festive gatherings, or whenever you want a little moment of joy in cookie form. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to making the perfect batch of these cookies. Each component plays a crucial role—whether it’s adding moisture, texture, sweetness, or that important balance of flavors.
- Unsalted butter, 1 cup (room temperature): This gives your cookies that rich, creamy base and helps achieve a tender crumb.
- Brown sugar, 1 cup: Adds deep sweetness and keeps cookies wonderfully moist.
- Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup: Contributes a bit of crispiness to the cookie edges for balance.
- Eggs, 2: Bind everything together while adding moisture and structure.
- Vanilla, 1 tsp: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
- Flour, 1 1/2 cups: Provides the foundation for the cookie dough.
- Baking soda, 1 tsp: Leavens the dough slightly so the cookies aren’t too dense.
- Cinnamon, 1 tsp: Adds subtle warmth that complements the cranberries perfectly.
- Salt, 1/2 tsp: Balances sweetness while boosting the other flavors.
- Old fashioned oats, 3 cups: Bring that classic chewy texture and rustic charm.
- Fresh cranberries, 1 cup (quartered): Offer vibrant tart bursts that cut through the sweetness.
- Pecans, 1 cup (chopped): Add toasty crunch and a buttery flavor that pairs amazingly with the fruit and chocolate.
- White chocolate chips, 1 cup: Melts into luscious pockets of sweetness, tying everything together.
How to Make Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by setting your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures it’s hot and ready once your dough is mixed, leading to perfectly baked cookies each time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together room temperature unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy. This step is vital as it traps air that later helps create light, tender cookies. Next, blend in the eggs one at a time for a smooth and well-incorporated base, then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse a subtle sweetness.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This dry mix is where the essential rising agent and spices come together, building the structure and flavor foundation of your cookies.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the butter and sugar batter, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing at this stage can produce tough cookies, so stir gently to keep that tender bite.
Step 5: Fold in Oats, Cranberries, Pecans, and White Chocolate
The magic begins here. Stir in your oats, fresh cranberries, chopped pecans, and white chocolate chips to the dough. These ingredients bring texture and bursts of flavor that make this Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe so special and memorable.
Step 6: Shape Cookies
Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, making sure to leave about two inches of space between each to allow for spreading during baking. This spacing ensures every cookie bakes evenly and holds its shape nicely.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. Once out of the oven, let them cool on a rack to set properly. This step is important because the cookies continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in that perfect chewy texture.
How to Serve Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe
Garnishes
Consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt over the warm cookies just before serving to enhance their sweet and tart flavors. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a festive touch, making them look as delightful as they taste.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a steaming cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a frothy hot chocolate for a comforting snack. They also complement fresh fruit plates or simple yogurt parfaits beautifully, making your snack time feel like a special occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack these cookies on a decorative platter layered with parchment paper, or place a few in small cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for charming homemade gifts. You can also sandwich them with a bit of cream cheese frosting or mascarpone for an extra indulgent treat that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them soft and chewy by maintaining moisture balance.
Freezing
If you want to save these cookies for later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They will keep beautifully for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To revive slightly stale cookies, warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for a few minutes. This helps bring back that freshly-baked softness and gooey pockets of white chocolate.
FAQs
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely! Dried cranberries will lend more concentrated sweetness and chewiness, but fresh cranberries add a bright, tart juiciness that is a wonderful contrast to the sweet white chocolate.
What kind of oats is best for this recipe?
Old fashioned rolled oats are ideal because they provide a nice chewy texture without making the cookies too dense. Quick oats can also work, but your cookies might be less hearty.
Can I substitute walnuts for pecans?
Yes, walnuts are a tasty alternative that provide a slightly different but equally delicious nuttiness. Feel free to use whatever nuts you prefer or have on hand!
How do I make my cookies chewier?
To enhance chewiness, slightly underbake the cookies by pulling them out just before the edges fully brown. Also, storing cookies with a slice of bread will help maintain moisture and softness.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The texture might vary slightly but the flavor will still be wonderful.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and joyful about the Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe. Every bite brings a perfect harmony of chewy oats, sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans that’s hard to resist. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch, share them with loved ones, and create your own treasured memories around this delightful recipe. Happy baking!
Print
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate and Pecans Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these chewy, flavorful Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies bursting with tart fresh cranberries, crunchy pecans, and sweet white chocolate chips. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and baked to golden perfection, these cookies offer a comforting homemade treat ideal for sharing or snacking any time.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, quartered
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature for your cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream together the room temperature unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt, creating an even mixture of the dry components.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mix, stirring until just combined to form the cookie dough base.
- Add Oats and Mix-ins: Fold in the old fashioned oats, quartered fresh cranberries, chopped pecans, and white chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Using fresh cranberries adds a bright tartness, but you can substitute dried cranberries if needed.
- Room temperature butter helps achieve the perfect creamy texture when creaming with sugars.
- Do not grease the cookie sheet; the oats and sugars provide enough texture to prevent sticking.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the pecans before adding them to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
