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Sugared Cranberry Cookies

Sugared cranberry cookies – delicious sugar cookies with sugared cranberries baked in to make the sweetest cookie ever – with a twist.

sugared cranberry cookies on white plate with extra cranberries

Remember those sugared cranberries we just talked about?

While they are surprisingly addicting just on their own, they make for gorgeous decorations on other desserts, too.

Originally I made them because I wanted to put them IN something. I’ve seen them on cakes, cupcakes, even in breads – but I haven’t seen them in cookies!

Dried cranberry cookies sure, but sugared cranberry cookies? Can’t find ’em.

I don’t know that I’m the first person to EVER to put them in cookies, but just please don’t burst my bubble. My very heavily sugared bubble.

close up on a pile of sugared cranberry cookies

These were the first cookies I made this holiday season. I had been trying to stay away from the desserts and eat a little healthier (though still indulging in some eggnog), but I broke down in the name of gifting.

That’s how much I love my friends, I’ll fill my kitchen full of sugary goodness and sweet temptations.

The sacrifices I make.

Sugared cranberry cookies next to a cookie tin with a christmas tree design


When I first mentioned to my mom that I was planning to make sugared cranberry cookies, she paused for a minute, and then simply said, “Hm.”

In mom speak, that’s her short way of acknowledging that I have spoken but ultimately deciding she thinks I’m being ridiculous or am wrong.

Let me just say, I brought some of these cookies home this week for the holidays – and she ate 3 of them in 5 minutes. So I think she’s (literally) eating her words now.

Sugared cranberry cookies on white polka dot plate with christmas tree design tin in background

There is of course a bit of prep time with these cookies because you have to make the sugared cranberries first. I find it’s easiest to prepare the cranberries the day before.

If making the cranberries ahead, store them in an air-tight container until ready to use – I keep them in the fridge but other recipes say on counter is fine. The fresher the better, though!

As always, if you make these I’d love to hear about how they turned out!

Yield: 36 cookies

Sugared Cranberry Cookies

Sugared cranberry cookies - sugar cookies with sugared cranberries baked in to make the sweetest cookie ever - with a twist.

Sugared cranberry cookies - sugar cookies with sugared cranberries baked in to make the sweetest cookie ever - with a twist.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Inactive Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 22 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sugared cranberries, (or more as desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and sugar together.
  3. Add melted butter to dry ingredients and stir together.
  4. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
  5. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form dough into balls and place on lined cookie sheet.
  6. Add sugared cranberries to top of dough (I added 2 or 3 cranberries per cookie, add more as desired)
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Notes

*Inactive time includes the time to make the sugared cranberries. The recipe is here: https://www.trialandeater.com/sugared-cranberries/

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 38mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is calculated automatically by an online tool at Nutritionix. It is not always accurate. Please use your own tools to check if you rely on this information.

Sugared cranberry cookies pinterest pin

 

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Mary

Tuesday 16th of November 2021

First, these cookies are very tasty! 5 stars for that Second, it is very “steppy “ to make them. If you didn’t realize the time needed to make the sugared cranberries, you’d be disappointed. (As I was when I planned to have them for supper and realized it would have to be the next day, after my family had come and gone!) Third, the dough is crumbly and it is difficult to get the cranberries to stay on. My suggestion would be to make a softer (wetter?) dough. And one last suggestion: indicate how big the spoons full should be and how far apart on the cookie sheet.

As I said initially, these cookies tasted great but take far mor than 22 minutes to make.

Kelly

Wednesday 17th of November 2021

Thank you for that feedback Mary! I've added the extra time required in the recipe card to make that more clear.

Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

Tuesday 30th of December 2014

I love how simple these cookies are :) They looks absolutely delicious!!

Jenna @ A Savory Feast

Saturday 27th of December 2014

I love how well tart cranberries go with something sweet, like a cookie. This recipe sounds so good! Thanks for sharing it with Hump Day Happenings.

Lauren

Thursday 25th of December 2014

Aww... Now I feel special! Thanks for the cookies and other goodies, and I hope you're having a great Christmas!

Kelly

Friday 26th of December 2014

YES you should feel special! I hope you enjoyed them and had a happy holiday :)

Danielle

Tuesday 23rd of December 2014

These look delicious! I would've never thought to use sugared cranberries in a cookie, but it sounds wonderful. Pinning these!

Kelly

Tuesday 23rd of December 2014

Thanks Danielle!

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