A Southern Grace: new favorites

June 11, 2013

new favorites

Yum

The next time someone asks me to tell her my favorite cookie, I'll have a different answer than in times past. I've previously listed snickerdoodles and oatmeal scotchies (among others) as the cookies at the top of my list, but no more. The throne(♥) has been usurped.


This latest champion is absolutely packed with add-ins. There are chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips in relatively large amounts, especially considering the small size of the batter itself. On top of all that, there are also fresh cranberries in the mix, as well as some orange zest (and cinnamon--we mustn't forget the cinnamon!).

Three parts add-ins, one part actual cookie.  I like those numbers.

The tart cranberries hit you first, but they're quickly tempered by those sweet, sweet white chocolate chips. The flavor of the nuts is in the background, but they're oh-so-essential for crunch. The very last thing you'll taste is that orange zest--it sort of lingers on the tongue even after you've swallowed. So much action, such a little cookie!


Now, just because I have a new favorite doesn't mean I don't still enjoy the previous title holders. It just means that I'm buying more fresh cranberries.

Double Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen small cookies
Ingredients:
  • 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • Zest of one orange
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
  • 1-1/2 cups dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1-1/3 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh (or thawed frozen) cranberries
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously coat several baking sheets with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
In a large mixer bowl with the mixer on medium speed, beat butter until lightened.
Add brown sugar and orange zest and continue beating until well blended.
Add egg and vanilla; beat until very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes longer.
Beat or stir flour mixture into butter mixture until smoothly incorporated.
Fold in walnuts, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and chopped fresh cranberries, stirring until evenly distributed throughout.
Chill dough for at least an hour.
Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls, spacing about 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
Bake the cookies, one pan at a time, in the middle third of oven for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly tinged with brown all over and just firm when pressed in the center; turn the pan around half way through baking to ensure even baking.
Let the cookies stand on the sheet briefly to firm up slightly. Using a wide spatula, carefully transfer cookies to some cooling racks to cool completely.

21 comments:

Katerina said...

First of all let me just say that all these ingredients make these cookies so festive and second with all these ingredients how can they not be imperial!

Joanne said...

Whoa if these usurped those other favorites then they are a cookie I NEED to try!

Barbara said...

Wow. Now that's a cookie. Chock full of goodies. I don't normally like walnuts (prefer pecans) but in this cookie, they're perfect.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A fabulous cookie! Full of good stuff.

Cheers,

Rosa

Nava K said...

Ohhh!!! Splendid combo of ingredients for a rich flavorful cookie. I shall have a piece esp for the nuts add ins.

Alicia Foodycat said...

This is my new favourite cookie and I haven't even tried it yet!

Pam said...

I think these could become my new favorite cookie too. So many yummies inside these beauties.

Rachel Cotterill said...

They look great! I make orange & cranberry cookies which rank high amongst my favourites - but hadn't thought of adding chocolate and walnuts to the same batter :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I always have frozen cranberries in the freezer from when I was overambitious during the holidays. I love the tartness they offer.

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

Ahhh the flavors in this cookie all sound fabulous together! Esp with orange zest, yum....

José Manuel said...

Que pinta tan estupenda tiene.

Saludos

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Mmm that's the way I like cookies-mostly chunks! The chunk ratio in these is fantastic!

CQUEK said...

Thanks for all this useful info!

shaz said...

Sounds like an excellent cookie Grace. I've seen fresh cranberries for the first time in the shops here. I bought some but didn't really know what to use them for except a sauce. Good to know I can add them to cookies.

Anonymous said...

fancy lil sweet bites,
i love the dried fruit and nuts combination...
well done!

Juliana said...

These cookies sure sound and look great Grace, I like the idea of the tart cranberries with the various chocolate...nice color as well.
Hope you are having a fun week :D

Dianne @ Sweet Journey Home said...

Awesome! The next time I have my daughter and her family over for lunch, I am definitely going to try these! Thanks for sharing...

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Yum! I'd love to try this recipe out as soon as I can, they look incredible :)

Anonymous said...

Sweet baby Jesus, these look amazing. A. Maze. Ing.

Anette said...

That is a very interesting and tempting cookie!

Anonymous said...

Making these for Christmas. Hopefully they will last that long. :-)

They taste awesome. They are such an easy cookie to make. Will be adding these to the holiday rotation from now on.