for These Double Chocolate, Cranberry Cookies are bites of pure chocolate bliss, tempered with the tart brightness of fresh cranberries.
What’s the “Double” In Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies?
These cookies are “double” chocolate because, first of all, the batter is made with unsweetened cocoa powder. Secondly, milk chocolate chunks are stirred in the batter. Does that sound like enough chocolate, or is it chocolate overload?
It isn’t chocolate overload at all. Especially if, like me, you are a chocolate lover. The cranberries keep these cookies from being way too much chocolate sweetness. Those tart berries add just the right touch. And, they are festive and pretty, too.
Butter vs Margarine for Cookies
Real butter makes a huge difference in the taste and quality of your cookies. But many home bakers, who don’t use margarine generally, will use it in their baked goods, thinking it won’t taste any different and to save money. But if you ever taste a cookie made with margarine, then the same cookie, made with real butter, you will absolutely notice the difference. That being said, if you choose to use margarine, you’re still going to love these cookies.
Quality Chocolate
These double chocolate cranberry cookies are fudgy and almost brownie-like. They’re brownie cookies, I would say. I used some good quality Swiss milk chocolate bars for the chocolate chunks, and, although you can use cocoa powder, have you ever tried cacao?
Cocoa vs Cacao
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between cocoa and cacao powders? They are both chocolate, and they look the same, so, it can be confusing. So here it is: cacao is raw cacao beans which are cold-pressed, keeping all of the live enzymes and removing the fat. Cocoa, on the other hand, is raw cacao which is roasted at high temperatures. The roasting process destroys those enzymes and removes a lot of nutritional value.
Chocolate nutrition
Chocolate, my friends, is very, very healthy. If that isn’t caused to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Amazingly, dark chocolate is one of the highest sources of antioxidants around. In moderation, there are many benefits to consuming high-quality dark chocolate. Too many to list here, but check it out here.
Back to the Cookies
So, I know, you came here for a cookie recipe and I’m giving you all this nutrition stuff. In the end, it’s a cookie. And an amazingly delicious cookie, I might add. This super chocolate, cranberry infused bites are addicting, and I guarantee that they will disappear in no time. That’s why I froze a lot of them to keep for the holidays.
Looking for more holiday cookies? Try Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies or Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies
How to Make Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
These Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are rich in chocolate, tempered with bright cranberry tartness.
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg large, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk chocolate chunks or chips
- 1 cup cranberries fresh
Preheat oven to 350°
Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper
In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt with a whisk.
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed, until light and fluffy
Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.
Add flour and cocoa mixture in three parts, beating to combine.
Stir in chocolate and cranberries.
Using a teaspoon, (a melon baller works great) roll dough into 1" balls, place on the prepared baking sheet, and flatten with your palm
Bake 10 minutes or until cookies are set. Allow the cookies to cool 2 minutes on baking pans before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dried cranberries can be substituted for fresh. Use 3/4 cup dried cranberries.
Make these cookies ahead and freeze. Cool cookies completely before pre-freezing them on their parchment lined baking sheets for an hour. Then put them in freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months.
Chocolate and cranberries sounds delicious. I have some berries and might try it.
I hope you do try, Roxana! These cookies are amazing!
These cookies look so pretty and so tasty! Love the fresh cranberry usage too!
Hi Eden, these cookies are delish! And you can use dried cranberries, but they are much better with fresh.
Cranberries and Chocolate are my JAM! I love this cookie recipe and I can’t wait to taste them hot and fresh from the oven!
Heidy, aren’t those two ingredients just divine together? I know you’ll love them!
Double chocolate and cranberries? Yup, these wouldn’t last long in our house at all. Good thing they’re so healthy! 😀
Hi Tracy, yes, we all know that chocolate is extremely healthy! ??
These are so perfect for Christmas!!! I love them. They look simple but chocolately and yum oh yum!! These would be great wrapped up for presents for the teachers! Cheers
Hi Adrianne! What a great teacher gift idea. Cookies are always welcome and these ones really are yum!
These look delicious! I love the combination of sweet chocolate and a tart fruit. I can’t wait to try them. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
Thanks, Maddy! These cookies really are delicious and I hope you love them as much as we do!
Ok, I cannot believe I have never tried chocolate and cranberries before! What a fabulous idea! These cookies are going on my Christmas cookie list this year 🙂 You are a super genius!
Hi Jo, haha I don’t know about me being a genius (thanks though!) but you are for sure going to love these cookies!
I love the idea of mixing cranberries with chocolate. I love a bit of tang in any situation and in a delicious chocolate treat? what could be better!
Hi Candiss! Cranberries and chocolate really work well together. These cookies are addicting 🙂
I absolutely love chocolate and cranberries together! I don’t like my sweets overly sweet, so I like how the tartness of the cranberries really balances out the chocolate!
I also love how the cranberries complement the rich chocolate in these cookies, Leanne!
Tart and sweet=amazing! Chocolate and cranberries are two of my favorite things to eat! I love this recipe. Thank yo so much for the quick facts of cocoa vs. cacao and real butter vs. margarine. It really helps us to know what we are putting in our bodies! AND YES… I AM GOING TO CELEBRATE WITH THESE COOKIES! Since chocolate is so healthy and all, LOL.
Hi Jeannette! These cookies are worth celebrating with:-) I know you’re going to love them!
Oh my, these chocolate cranberry cookies look so delicious. The combo of ingredients is wonderful, I am sure! Why have I never tried fresh cranberries in a chocolate cookie? That is going to change very soon when I try your recipe. Thanks so much for sharing. ? (I so agree with you, Colleen and do my part to have a small piece of high quality dark chocolate every day!) ?. Antioxidants, and all that! ❤️
Good for you, Denise, for getting in your antioxidants with chocolate. I know it’s hard, but so worth it. 🙂 Enjoy these cookies, they are delicious!
Mmm, these look amazing! Can’t wait to try!
Hi Jody. These really are so yummy. Enjoy!
Hurray for all the antioxidants in chocolate! Love that you used fresh cranberries! I’m sure I could sub a gluten-free flour blend in this recipe–must try! Thanks and happy holidays!
Elaine, isn’t it great to get a dose of antioxidants from something so divine as chocolate? Yes, you can definitely make these with a gluten free flour blend. Enjoy, and happy holidays to you, too!
Double and chocolate are definitely 2 words I like to hear in the same sentence! These look so delicious and I love the addition of cranberry to balance the sweet!
Hi Terri, I’m in total agreement about those two words in the same sentence! Cranberries do create a nice balance, too.
Oh my, these look to die for!!! Such a perfect holiday treat!
Thanks Kristen! I think that’s a perfect description. 🙂