Description
These White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies are a delightful blend of sweet, tart, and citrus flavors. Soft and chewy with bursts of cranberry and creamy white chocolate, enhanced by fresh orange zest and juice, these cookies are perfect for holidays or any time you crave a fruity, indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well blended to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy, usually about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg and flavorings: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated, then mix in vanilla extract, fresh orange zest, and fresh orange juice to infuse the dough with bright, citrusy flavor.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in cranberries and white chocolate: Gently stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips so they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
- Scoop the dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set but soft.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up and enhances texture.
Notes
- For a more intense orange flavor, add an additional teaspoon of orange zest.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for best texture results.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can also be frozen before or after baking for longer storage.
- Substitute white chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips if desired, but it will alter the flavor profile.
