Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.
I don’t know why, but there’s something about the combination of cranberries and white chocolate that feels so Christmas-y. It’s a pretty flavor combo too: I find white chocolate on its own a little too sweet but that tart cranberry just gives it that little bit of edge. It doesn’t hurt either that these cookies feature just the teeniest taste of each, giving you the best of both worlds in one tiny little punch smack dab in the centre of the cookie.
White Chocolate Cranberry Thumbprints (approx. 5 dozen)
1 c. white chocolate, melted
1/2 c. dried cranberries (to taste)
one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (minus the baking powder!)
Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Roll the dough out into 1-inch balls. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Make a well in the center of each cookie by pressing down your finger. Refrigerate the dough until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 7 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and make sure the well in each centre is still firm (I used the handle of a wooden spoon). Bake for another 7-9 minutes.
Place cookies on rack to cool. Using a small spoon or piping bag, fill the centre of each cookie with melted white chocolate. Sprinkle dried cranberries on top as desired. Let chocolate fully sit before serving. These are best stored in the fridge until your guests arrive! (But I won’t lie- they still taste pretty good all chocolatel-y and gooey and warm.
Happy baking!
B
I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.