Delight in the wholesome goodness of our Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies. These cookies perfectly blend the hearty texture of rolled oats with the tart, sweet burst of dried cranberries, creating a treat that’s both nourishing and delicious. Each bite offers a wonderful combination of chewy oats and juicy cranberries, complemented by a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Ideal for breakfast on the go, a midday snack, or a cozy evening treat, our Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are as versatile as they are tasty. The natural sweetness of the cranberries pairs beautifully with the earthy, nutty flavor of the oats, making these cookies a satisfying and guilt-free indulgence. Enjoy them with a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of milk for a comforting and satisfying experience. These cookies also make a thoughtful gift for loved ones, spreading warmth and cheer with every bite. Embrace the delicious balance of flavors and textures with our Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies – a treat that’s sure to become a favorite in every household.
Why make these cookies
Perfect Flavor Balance: The tartness of dried cranberries perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the oats and a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, creating a well-rounded and delightful taste. Nutritious and Wholesome: Made with rolled oats and dried cranberries, these cookies offer a nutritious option that provides fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, making them a guilt-free treat. Ideal Texture: The combination of chewy oats and juicy cranberries creates a satisfying texture that makes each bite enjoyable and memorable. Versatility: These cookies are perfect for any time of the day, whether as a quick breakfast, a midday snack, or a cozy evening treat. They also make thoughtful and delicious gifts for loved ones.
Ingredients and substitution
Oats – Use old-fashion oats, not the quick-cooking one. The quick cooking make the cookies soggy. Butter – Melted butter works to combine all the ingredients as well as adds richness and flavor to the cookies. Milk – I use whole milk but skimmed milk would work too. Sugar – I love using brown sugar for that caramel-like flavor. But you can also use white sugar. Baking soda – Adds a little lightness to the cookie. I highly recommend it. Cinnamon – Is wonderful, especially, during the cooler months. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, ground ginger, and allspice. In fact, you can also add pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice. Vanilla – You can use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Or you can also replace some of the sugar with vanilla sugar.
Step-by-step: How to make oatmeal cranberry cookies
Preheat oven at 325°F / 165°C / Gas Mark 3 In a small bowl, melt the butter and set it aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda, raisins, and dried cranberries.Pro tip – Make sure the mixture is well combined before you add the wet ingredients. Next, add the melted butter and milk. Stir to combine well until you are able to squish the mixture into a ball.Pro tip – If necessary, add a few more tablespoons of milk to help squish it all into a ball.
Shape golf size balls, then flatten them. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space for them to spread some. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly golden. Then, cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes. And then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before you transfer to an airtight container.
Variations to these cookies
Chocolate chips – You can add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, which is a wonderful combination with dried cranberries called white chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies. But bittersweet or dark chocolate chips also work. Nuts – Replace some of the dried fruits with chopped nuts such as almonds, cashews, pecans. Melted chocolate – Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate to make chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies. Or, drizzle some melted chocolate on the cookies once cooled.
Tips for Success
Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor. Fresh, plump dried cranberries and good quality oats are key. Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure that all your cookies are uniform in size, which will help them to bake evenly. Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Spices: Enhance the flavor of your cookies by adding a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. Add Nuts: Consider adding chopped nuts such as walnuts or almonds for an added crunch and depth of flavor. Rehydrate Cranberries: If your dried cranberries are a bit too dry, you can rehydrate them in warm water for about 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat dry before adding them to the batter. Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats for a chewier texture. Underbake Slightly: Bake the cookies until they are just set but still soft in the middle to achieve a chewy texture. Test a Cookie: Before baking the entire batch, bake one cookie to test the oven temperature and baking time. Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set properly. Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for longer. You can also freeze the dough or the baked cookies to enjoy them later. Parchment Paper or Silpat: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (Silpat) to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Customize Your Add-ins: Feel free to add in other ingredients like white chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or citrus zest to personalize your cookies. Experiment with Sweeteners: You can experiment with different sweeteners such as brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup to alter the flavor profile of your cookies. Rest the Dough: Letting the dough rest overnight in the refrigerator can help develop deeper flavors and better texture. Freshness Check for Baking Soda/Baking Powder: Ensure that your leavening agents (baking soda or baking powder) are fresh to achieve the right lift in your cookies.
Soft Ginger Cookies Cranberry Pistachio Cookies or Cranberry Pecan Snowball Cookies Cranberry Cake Christmas or Cranberry Shortbread Squares See all holiday cookies or all cookie recipes
Frequently asked questions
Creative ways to serve oatmeal cookies
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sundae: Top a warm cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of cranberry sauce, and a sprinkle of oat crumble for a delightful sundae. Cookie Sandwiches with Spiced Filling: Sandwich a spiced cream cheese filling or apple butter between two cookies for a delightful twist on the classic cookie presentation. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Milkshake: Blend the cookies with milk and a scoop of cranberry or vanilla ice cream for a delightful milkshake with a festive touch. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Trifle: Layer crumbled cookies with layers of vanilla pudding, cranberry compote, and whipped cream for a visually appealing and tasty trifle dessert. Gourmet Cookie Gift Basket: Create a gourmet gift basket that includes the cookies along with high-quality teas or coffees, providing everything needed for a delightful snack time. Cookie Skewers: Thread cookies alternatively with fresh fruits like banana slices and strawberry halves onto skewers for a fun and interactive serving idea. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Granola: Crumble the cookies and mix them with nuts and dried fruits to create a granola that can be enjoyed with yogurt or milk.
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