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Cranberry Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

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Lightly spiced oatmeal cookies studded with cranberries and dark chocolate are a not too sweet treat that are sure to have you coming back for more.

close up stacks of cranberry dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

These chewy oatmeal cookies have a hint of cinnamon mixed with cranberries and dark chocolate chips. They are a fun more grown up twist on festive cranberry cookies. They would make a lovely addition to your Christmas cookie repertoire but are a perfect dessert all year long.

 I have been on a mission to clean out my pantry. So our menus lately have been based as much as possible on what we have and picking up as few groceries as possible.

I want to make sure nothing ends up shoved in the back corner only to be seen again after Little Dude graduates from high school.  I hate food waste and am a big believer in using what you have to its its fullest.

What does that have to do with these cookies? A lot, in fact!

mixer bowl with cranberry dark chocolate oatmeal cookie dough and spatula.

 I was in the mood for baking (like always!) So I went to my bin of stir ins to see what caught my eye.

There was a bag dried cranberries that piqued my interest and I always have oatmeal on hand. So it seemed some a cranberry version of oatmeal cookies was in order.

looking across a cooling rack filled with cranberry dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

I based the dough off of Andrea’s oatmeal raisin cookies because those cookies were such a big hit with my coworkers. I was tempted to leave them just as a cranberry oatmeal cookie, but the bags of chocolate chips were right there staring at me asking to be used.

It was tempting to stir in white baking chips as they seem to be what you see paired with cranberries in cookies most often. For some reason the dark chocolate chips were really calling my name.

looking down on wire cooking rack with cranberry dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

I am so glad I went with the dark chocolate chips. They add such a rich flavor and paired with a hint of cinnamon and the cranberry gave a really sophisticated and festive flavor.

It also cut down the sweetness in the finished cookies. The balance of flavors really was amazing!

Tips for storing and freezing your cookies

These cookies can be stored at room temperature for at least a week. If you add a slice of white sandwich bread in the airtight container with the cookies they will stay soft longer.

Cookies like these freeze beautifully as well. Put them in a freezer bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can also freeze balls of dough to bake later. Scoop the dough onto cookie sheets and place in the freezer for several hours. Then move the frozen balls of dough to a freezer bag and return to the freezer.

When ready to bake, grab the desired number of cookie dough balls and bake as directed. They may need an extra minute or two of bake time, but can be baked right from the freezer.

plate of oatmeal cookies with dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips inside

I brought a tray of these cookies and some cashew bear paw candies to work with me and the whole tray was wiped clean in less than two days. I’d say both were a hit!

What are your favorite recipes for using dried cranberries? And what are your favorite cookie stir ins? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or on social media.

close up stacks of cranberry dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Carlee
Lightly spiced oatmeal cookies studded with cranberries and dark chocolate are a not too sweet treat that are sure to have you coming back for more.
5 from 8 ratings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 60 Cookies
Calories 98 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Cream together butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.
    1 cup butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
  • Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined after each.
    2 eggs
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and oats. 
    1½ cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 3 cups old fashioned oats
  • Mix into the butter mixture until just combined. 
  • Fold in cranberries and dark chocolate chips.
    1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • Chill for at least 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350° F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. 
  • Scoop with a small cookie scoop onto prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden and set.
  • Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or two, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1CookieCalories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 67mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8g
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Recipe Rating




Amy

Tuesday 17th of December 2019

Oatmeal and cinnamon - I think yes!!! These cookies sound wonderful.

Carlee

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

All of the good stuff!

Julie's Creative Lifestyle

Saturday 14th of December 2019

I too love oatmeal cookies. These oatmeal cookies look so good and I bet taste delicious. Thanks for the recipe to make them!

Carlee

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

I hope you enjoy them!

Andrea Nine

Friday 13th of December 2019

I Love a good oatmeal cookie. How festive and yummy. Have a super weekend!

Carlee

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

You are going to love these!