Are you looking for a delicious and easy recipe to brighten up your day? These cranberry walnut cookies are the perfect answer! Bursting with the tart sweetness of cranberries and the satisfying crunch of walnuts, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion – from cozy nights in to festive holiday gatherings. They're surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner bakers, and guaranteed to become a family favorite. Get ready to enjoy the irresistible aroma and taste of homemade goodness!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture.
Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 4: Mix in Cranberries and Walnuts
Gently fold in the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. Enjoy the beautiful colors and textures coming together!
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy these delightful cranberry walnut cookies!
Tips and Variations:
- For extra chewy cookies: Use more brown sugar.
- For crispier cookies: Use more granulated sugar and bake for a couple of minutes longer.
- Add some spice: Incorporate ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, autumnal flavor.
- Substitute the nuts: Pecans, almonds, or even macadamia nuts would be delicious substitutes for walnuts.
- Make them gluten-free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure the blend you choose is suitable for baking cookies.
- Chocolate lovers: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for a decadent twist.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-180
- Fat: 8-10g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Protein: 2-3g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
These cranberry walnut cookies are a fantastic addition to your recipe repertoire. They are easy to make, customizable to your preferences, and utterly delicious. Enjoy baking and sharing these festive treats!