If we’re craving a snack that’s both sweet and slightly tangy, cranberry cookies are a perfect choice. They are crisp on the edges, tender in the middle, and packed with natural flavors.
Imagine the buttery softness combined with the tart bite of cranberries—every bite feels like a little celebration. Today, we’re going to walk through the recipe step by step so we can all enjoy these cookies at home, even if we’ve never baked before.
Ingredients We’ll Need
To make about 20–25 cookies, we need:
- 120g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 50g powdered sugar
- 1 large egg (about 50g)
- 100g low-gluten flour
- 20g cornstarch
- 50g dried cranberries, roughly chopped
Optional: We can swap cranberries for raisins, chopped cherries, or any dried fruit we like. Using natural ingredients ensures a wholesome flavor without any artificial additives.
Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries
We start by roughly chopping the dried cranberries. This helps them distribute evenly in every cookie, so each bite gets a little fruity surprise. It’s a simple step but makes a big difference in the texture and taste.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Next, we take the softened butter and add the powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is an important step because properly creamed butter gives the cookies their soft, tender texture while keeping them slightly crisp on the edges.
Step 3: Add the Egg Gradually
Now, we add the egg in 2–3 small portions, mixing well each time. This prevents the mixture from separating and keeps the dough smooth. Patience here is key—rushing could affect the final cookie texture.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
We sift together the low-gluten flour and cornstarch. Gradually fold this into the butter mixture using a spatula, making sure not to overmix. Folding gently keeps the dough light and airy, which is what makes the cookies tender and slightly crumbly.
Step 5: Incorporate the Cranberries
Once the flour is well mixed in, we fold the chopped cranberries into the dough evenly. At this stage, we can also sneak in a few extra cranberries on top of each cookie slice for a prettier look.
Step 6: Shape and Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and shape it into a cylinder about 4–5cm in diameter. Press it into a mold or smooth it with a spatula for even edges. Freeze the dough for 40 minutes to 1 hour until firm. Chilling is crucial—it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. Any leftover dough can be shaped freely into fun mini cookies.
Step 7: Slice the Dough and Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F). Remove the dough from the freezer and slice it into pieces about 0.5cm thick. Arrange the slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving around 2cm space between each slice for expansion. This ensures cookies bake evenly without sticking together.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the tray on the middle rack and bake for 15–20 minutes with both top and bottom heat. Watch carefully in the last 3–5 minutes so the cookies don’t over-brown. They should be lightly golden on top with slightly crisp edges while staying tender inside.
Step 9: Cool and Store
Let the cookies cool completely on the tray before transferring them to an airtight container. This preserves the crispness and keeps the cookies fresh for several days. These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea, coffee, or just for a little afternoon treat.
Extra Tips for Perfect Cookies
1. Cornstarch makes the cookies tender and crumbly.
2. Well-creamed butter ensures a light, crisp texture.
3. Oven temperatures can vary, so adjust baking time as needed.
4. For sweeter cookies, add 10–20g more powdered sugar.
5. We can experiment with adding chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Time to Enjoy!
Lykkers, now we’ve got a batch of golden, crisp, naturally sweet cranberry cookies ready to enjoy. Perfect for sharing with friends, gifting, or simply treating ourselves. Baking doesn’t have to be complicated, and following these steps ensures a delicious, homemade snack that always hits the spot. Let’s enjoy every bite together!
Easy recipe!! Cranberry Cookies | How to Make.....