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There’s nothing quite like the joy of baking during the holidays. These Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles are a delightful twist on a classic cookie, combining the soft, buttery texture of snickerdoodles with the tangy sweetness of dried cranberries. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies are festive, easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles
Soft and Chewy Perfection: The cream cheese in the dough ensures these cookies stay soft and tender with every bite.
Festive Flavors: The warm spices and cranberries make them perfect for holiday gatherings.
Simple to Make: With just 30 minutes of chilling time, you can have these cookies ready in under an hour.
Versatile Crowd Favorite: Ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or a cozy night in with a cup of tea.
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Ingredients for Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup brown sugar (200g)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Plastic wrap
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How to Make Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles
Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Once combined, fold in the dried cranberries.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten slightly into a disc and coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake for 10–11 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underbaked but will firm up as they cool.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or store for later!
What to Serve with Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles
A warm mug of spiced apple cider or hot chocolate.
Pair with a creamy latte for a cozy afternoon treat.
These cookies also make a wonderful addition to a holiday dessert platter.
Tips for the Perfect Cookies
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter, cream cheese, and egg are at room temperature for a smooth dough.
Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step; it helps the cookies hold their shape.
Measure Flour Correctly: Too much flour can make the cookies dense. Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.
Storage Instructions
At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing Dough: Freeze the cookie dough balls (before coating in cinnamon sugar) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries are recommended as fresh ones can add too much moisture to the dough, altering the texture.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
You can substitute mascarpone cheese for a similar creamy texture, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Crockpot Christmas Crack: A Sweet Holiday Favorite
Eggless Flourless Chocolate Fudge Cookies
Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls Without Condensed Milk
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Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 128
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Protein: 1g
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles are perfect for bringing a little holiday cheer to your kitchen. Whether you’re making them for your family, friends, or just for yourself (we won’t judge!), these cookies are sure to impress. Happy baking!
Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles Recipe
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 25 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles are the perfect holiday cookies, combining buttery richness with tangy cranberries and warm spices. These easy-to-make cookies feature a crinkly top, tender inside, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup brown sugar (200g)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg until a dough forms. Fold in the dried cranberries.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, flatten slightly into a disc, and coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 10–11 minutes.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- For an extra festive touch, drizzle cookies with white chocolate once cooled.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze dough balls for later use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (+30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 128kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Protein: 1g