• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chenée Today
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • Shop
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Holiday Recipes

    Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    October 10, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

    437 shares
    Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies - Easy White Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Shortbread! | Chenée Today

    These cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies are so easy and always a hit! You’ll love these slice and bake white chocolate cranberry cookies for your next cookie swap! And if you like this cranberry shortbread cookies recipe, you’ll want to try my Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies, my Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies, and my Peppermint White Chocolate Sugar Cookies!

    Cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies on a rack
    Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe

    *This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

    Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    These shortbread cookies are SO easy to make, and SO Christmasy! They're a classic shortbread cookie base, brightened up with orange extract and sweetened dried cranberries. But the best part (of course) is that once they're baked, they're dipped in luscious white chocolate for the most decadent holiday treat you could ask for!

    Which type of cookie is shortbread?

    Shortbread cookies are a classic cookie that's traditionally made with sugar, flour, and butter. The basic shortbread recipe originated in Scotland, where the first recorded recipe was in 1736. Since then, shortbread cookies have evolved somewhat to include additional ingredients like flavored extracts, salt, and mix-ins like dried fruit. Which brings us to this easy cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies recipe!

    cranberry shortbread cookies in a stack and on a wire rack
    White chocolate cranberry cookies

    White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies - Slice and Bake Method

    I love making slice and bake cookies -- they're so easy and the dough can be ready to go straight from the fridge! Perfect for make-ahead recipes and for experimenting with flavors. So how does the slice and bake method work?

    First, we'll get our shortbread dough mixed up and bring it together in two dough balls. Then we roll each chunk of dough into a cylinder shape and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Next, the dough needs to chill at least two hours to let the fats re-solidify and firm up the cylinder shapes. Finally, we'll cut the chilled dough into slices and bake it, giving us the best cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies!

    How soon before Christmas can I make cookies?

    Good news! These slice and bake Christmas cookies are very freezer-friendly! So you can make them up to 2 months in advance, let them cool and set fully, and then pop them in an airtight container to freeze until Christmas! Just let them thaw in the container at room temperature and then serve as normal!

    You can also store these cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. Either way, you're in control of your timeframe. You can be enjoying these slice and bake Christmas cookies today, tomorrow, or next month! Or you can do like I do, and sneak one out of the freezer every couple days or so.

    Ingredients for cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies
    Easy cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies - Ingredients

    Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Ingredients

    These simple shortbread cookies come together so easily with just a few ingredients:

    • all-purpose flour - I always say this, but be sure to measure your flour correctly. I highly recommend measuring out 416 grams of flour using a kitchen scale, but you can also use the spoon-and-level method.
    • powdered sugar - same as the flour, it's best to measure by weight, but you can also just make sure it's sifted before measuring in cups.
    • salted butter - you'll need 3 sticks of salted butter, or you can use unsalted butter and add ¾ teaspoon of salt.
    • orange extract - if you don't have orange extract, you can add almond extract, vanilla extract, or any other flavor you'd like!
    • sweetened dried cranberries - I love the flavor of cranberries and white chocolate together!
    • white chocolate - I always use Ghirardelli baking bars, but you can also use candy melts or melted white baking chips. Just be careful not to over-melt it in the microwave!
    close up of cranberry shortbread cookie
    Best Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    Equipment

    You'll need the basic cookie tools: a stand mixer or handheld mixer, as well as a baking sheet and a silicone liner or some parchment paper to line it with. But for this recipe you'll also need a 2-inch round cookie cutter and some plastic wrap to chill your cookie dough.

    How do I keep my cut cookies from spreading?

    A few tips to remember to prevent your cookies from spreading:

    1. Make sure your dough is properly chilled. In the recipe card below, I suggest that you chill your dough for at least two hours. To be on the safe side, though, overnight is preferable. Once you take the dough out of the fridge, move quickly to get it cut into slices and onto your baking sheet while handling the dough as little as possible. If you have to wait for the oven to finish preheating, then pop the baking sheet and cookie slices back into the fridge while you wait.
    2. Make sure your flour is measured correctly. If you don't have enough flour, the fat in the dough can move around in the oven and change the shape of the cookies. As I mention below, your best bet would be to use a kitchen scale to measure out your flour by weight.
    3. Make sure your oven temperature is correct. We're baking these slice and bake Christmas cookies at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than the typical 350, because the heat of the oven will firm up the outside of the cookie before the inside has a chance to move around, thereby preventing spreading. But if your oven runs a little cold, as many do (mine included), you run a greater risk of the cookies losing their shape. I like to use an oven thermometer! It hangs from your oven rack and can give you a consistent reading of the actual temperature inside your oven, so that you can adjust the temperature dial as needed.
    4. Reach for parchment paper instead of a silicone baking liner. I love my Silpat baking liner, but the nonstick surface can contribute to slightly more spread and darker browning than parchment paper. So if spreading is a concern, use parchment paper to be safe.
    cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies on a wire rack
    Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    Tips and F.A.Q.

    What is the difference between a sugar cookie and a shortbread cookie?

    While the two cookies have similar flavors, shortbread has a simpler recipe, made without eggs or any leaveners. Shortbread is also denser, with a more buttery, crumbly texture. Sugar cookies, on the other hand, are lighter, with a softer, chewy texture.

    What is the difference between shortbread cookies and butter cookies?

    Butter cookies are a bit sweeter than shortbread cookies, and their higher sugar content makes them great for cutout recipes. Like sugar cookies, butter cookies often have egg added, which creates a softer texture.

    Can I freeze this cranberry shortbread cookies recipe?

    Yes you can! I freeze these white chocolate cranberry cookies every year in preparation for the holidays. You can freeze the rolled up dough for up to 2 months, well wrapped. Or you can freeze completed cookies in an airtight container or heavy duty freezer bag for up to three months.

    How many calories are in a white chocolate cranberry cookie?

    One of these cookies has 183 calories. You can see the recipe card below for full nutrition information.

    stack of cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies
    Easy Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

    More Cookie Recipes You'll Love

    • Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar
    • Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter and Sea Salt
    • No Spread Sugar Cookies
    • Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
    Cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies on a rack

    Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies - Slice and Bake Recipe

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    These cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies are so easy and always a hit! You’ll love these slice and bake white chocolate cranberry cookies for your next cookie swap! Try this cranberry shortbread cookies recipe for your holiday celebration!
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Chilling Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 32 cookies
    Calories: 183kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • ¾ sheet baking pan
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowls
    • whisk
    • rubber spatula
    • food scale
    • hand mixer
    • parchment paper
    • stand mixer
    • cooling rack
    • silicone baking mat
    • plastic wrap

    Ingredients

    • 1½ cup (341 g) salted butter - room temperature (3 sticks)
    • 1 ½ cup (180 g) powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) orange extract - (or vanilla, or almond extract)
    • 1 cup (121 g) sweetened dried cranberries - chopped
    • 3 cups (384 g) all-purpose flour - plus more for rolling
    • 8 oz (227 g) white chocolate - chopped (about 1½ cup)

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
      1½ cup salted butter, 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
    • Stir in orange extract until well combined.
      1 teaspoon orange extract
    • In a separate bowl, combine flour and dried cranberries and mix well.
      1 cup sweetened dried cranberries, 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix with a hand mixer or paddle attachment of a stand mixer until dough begins to come together.
    • Divide dough in half. Dust surface with flour and, with floured hands, roll dough into two cylinders, about 1 ½ -2 inch in diameter.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Dough can be made and chilled up to 3 days in advance.
    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking liner.
    • Unwrap chilled dough logs. Using a serrated knife, cut log into ½-inch slices.
    • Place cookie slices on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12-13 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to lightly brown around the edges.
    • Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.
    • Melt chopped white chocolate in a bowl in the microwave in 15 second increments.
      8 oz white chocolate
    • Dip half of each cookie into melted white chocolate and place on parchment paper to set.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage: Cookies can be frozen very well for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 183 kcal | Carbohydrates: 20 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 24 mg | Sodium: 68 mg | Potassium: 37 mg | Fiber: 0.4 g | Sugar: 10 g | Calcium: 19 mg | Iron: 1 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: best cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies, cranberry shortbread, cranberry shortbread cookies calories, cranberry shortbread cookies recipe, crispy oatmeal cranberry cookies, easy cranberry white chocolate shortbread cookies, ocean spray cranberry shortbread cookies, slice and bake christmas cookies, slice and bake cookies, white chocolate cranberry cookies, white chocolate shortbread
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this white chocolate cranberry cookies recipe for later:

    Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies - Easy White Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Shortbread! | Chenée Today
    And FOLLOW ME on Pinterest!

    More Holiday Recipes - Baking and Family Holiday Favorites!

    • Pumpkin Mousse Pie with Maple Cookie Crust
    • Halloween Dirt Cups with Chocolate Cheesecake Filling
    • Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar
    • Brownie Mix Cookies with White Chocolate, Cherries and Pistachios
    437 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Let Me Know What You Think! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jazz

      December 08, 2021 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for the reminder to measure the flour correctly. My cookies came out perfectly!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        January 19, 2022 at 10:42 am

        So glad to hear it!

        Reply
    2. Kaluhi

      December 08, 2021 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      This was super soft and really flavourful!!! The sweetness was perfectly balanced and you could taste all the other notes!Can't wait to make this again and again!!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        March 17, 2022 at 11:46 pm

        So glad you liked them! Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Taneisha

      December 06, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      5 stars
      Cranberry and white chocolate is such a divine combination as soon as I saw the recipe I knew I had to try! So glad I did because this recipe is amazing!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        March 15, 2022 at 12:14 am

        It's an all-time great flavor combo! Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Lilly

      December 06, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      The white chocolate mixed with cranberries and hint of orange flavor is genius in this recipe!! I honestly could not get enough of these cookies and almost ate the whole batch by myself. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe! I cannot wait to make these again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        January 19, 2022 at 10:42 am

        So glad you liked them!!

        Reply
    5. Kate

      December 06, 2021 at 6:35 am

      5 stars
      These cookies were a big hit! The cranberry and white chocolate complement each other so well! I can't wait to make another batch over the weekend!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        February 07, 2022 at 1:31 am

        Thank you!! And I love that flavor combination too!

        Reply
    6. Erique

      December 05, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, this is my new favorite cookie recipe and everyone in my house loved them! The cranberry and orange extract are a perfect pair!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        January 19, 2022 at 10:44 am

        I love that flavor combination too!

        Reply
    7. Robin

      December 05, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a lover of shortbread cookies, but the addition of the cranberries and white chocolate made my old favorite even better.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 22, 2021 at 12:30 am

        So glad you liked them!

        Reply
    8. Stephanie

      December 02, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are the perfect holiday treat! The combination of flavors is amazing and the little cranberry chunks add the perfect mix of tart and sweet to the cookie. This is definitely a hit with the kids.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 03, 2021 at 12:56 am

        I agree! They're so perfect for the holidays!

        Reply
    9. Marta

      December 01, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      I made these cookies for a cookie exchange and sneaked them back out. LOL! The cranberry and white chocolate together made it worth my lack of ethics.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 03, 2021 at 12:56 am

        Haha excellent idea!

        Reply
    10. veenaazmanov

      December 02, 2020 at 5:49 am

      5 stars
      Perfect time for the perfect recipes. Looks delicious and super easy to make too.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 02, 2020 at 7:23 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    11. Emily Liao

      December 02, 2020 at 4:36 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely loved these cookies! The cranberries and white chocolate are the best flavor combo.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 02, 2020 at 7:23 am

        One of my all-time favorite combos!

        Reply
    12. Beth

      December 02, 2020 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      Yummy! I can't wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 02, 2020 at 4:08 am

        Yay! I hope you all love them!

        Reply
    13. Kushigalu

      December 02, 2020 at 2:14 am

      5 stars
      How festive and gorgeous are these cookies. I will try this for holiday.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 02, 2020 at 2:28 am

        Great! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    14. Lily (GastroSenses)

      December 02, 2020 at 2:07 am

      5 stars
      These are very cute and the flavors sound wonderful.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        December 02, 2020 at 2:29 am

        thank you so much!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Trending Recipes

    • Boursin Pasta - Tiktok Viral Recipe
    • Fried Potatoes and Onions
    • Strawberry Shortcake Crumble

    Valentine's Day Recipes

    • Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
    • Mini Red Velvet Cake
    • Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies
    • Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake

    Get my Cookbook!

    Sweet Summertime Cookbook - recipe book of summer desserts and summer recipes!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Chenée
    Shop my Favorite Tools
    Disclosure Policy
    Privacy Policy
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Contact

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Subscribe

    As Seen In

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Chenée Today, LLC. All rights reserved.

    437 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • WhatsApp