Soft and Chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

These are the best oatmeal cookies ever! Cranberry Oatmeal cookies are soft and chewy on the inside with a little bit of a crunch on the outside and loaded with sweet but tart cranberries. This cranberry oatmeal cookies recipe is perfect for a cookie exchange or just because you want to enjoy some delicious homemade cookies!

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

I am so ready to start baking holiday cookies. I am already making my list of the cookies we are going to make for Christmas and these cranberry oatmeal cookies are on the top of the list. It has been a while since I have made these cookies and recently whipped up a batch of them just because. I remembered why I love them so much and knew I had to add them to my Christmas Cookie baking list.

They are soft and chewy with sweet pieces of dried cranberry without being overly sweet. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are easy to make and don’t take much time. They really are the perfect cookie to make during the holidays. 

To whip up a batch of these scrumptious cookies, you’ll need some simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, dried cranberries along with a few other pantry staples. 

With no need for chilling time, it means you can whip up these cookies quickly, making them an ideal choice for a last minute dessert when you have guests over for holiday dinners or just because.

When making these oatmeal cookies I like to buy the big thing of rolled oats, so then I have more oats so I can make pecan pie oatmeal, apple cinnamon oatmeal and banana oatmeal cookies too!

Christmas Cookies

• Peppermint chocolate chip cookies
• Ginger Molasses cookies
• Homemade Sugar Cookies
• Brownie Cookies
• Elf Cookies

Tips for Making Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Use Rolled Oats or Quick Oats. You can use either one when you are making this recipe. I prefer to use old-fashioned oats as they hold up better.

Don’t Overbake. It is important to not overbake these cookies. When you are done baking them, be sure to let them cool on the cooling rack.

Use real Vanilla. Using real vanilla extract in this recipe is a must. You can use store bought or homemade vanilla extract.

Don’t Overmix. When incorporating the dry ingredients, avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing can result in tough and dense cookies.

Variations of this Recipe

Add Chocolate Chips. You can add chocolate chips to this recipe, white chocolate chips are the best option but you can also use milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Add nuts. There are various nuts that complement the taste of the cranberry oatmeal cookies. The best options are chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts.

Add Coconut. Sprinkle some coconut flakes, sweetened coconut or toasted coconut into the dough to introduce a hint of tropical flavor, creating a unique blend with the cranberries and oats.

Use Raisins. You can use raisins in place of cranberries in this recipe. 

How to Store Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

If you plan to consume the cookies within a week, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I freeze these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies?

To extend the shelf life, oatmeal cookies can be frozen. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature or gently reheat them in the oven.

Recipe FAQ

Do I need to use a stand mixer?

No. You can use a medium bowl for the dry ingredients and then a large mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer for the wet ingredients to make this recipe. 

Can I use Unsalted butter?

Yes. You can use unsalted butter for this cookie recipe. I prefer to use salted butter tho when making them. 

Do I have to use Old Fashioned Oats Rolled Oats in this recipe?

You can use 5 minute oats or Instant oat when makinf this cookie recipe, but they will come out better if you are using old fashioned oats.

Can I make the Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe cookie dough ahead of time and freeze?

Yes! Using a cookie scoop portion the cookie dough on to a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for 1 hour until the cookie dough is frozen solid. 

Move the frozen dough to an airtight container or freezer zip-top bag. When you’re set to bake, simply pop the frozen dough into the oven, adjusting the baking time as needed. 

The frozen cookie dough will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe Ingredients

All-purpose flour. The base of the cookies includes all purpose flour. 

Baking soda. This cookie dough is heavy, adding baking soda makes them lighter and fluffy.

Salt. Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies and helps balance the sweetness.

Cinnamon. Incorporating a touch of cinnamon infuses the cookies with a delightful and cozy holiday taste.

Butter. Because salted butter does not have salt evenly distributed thru out it you want to melt the butter before adding it to the cookie dough. 

Brown sugar. The brown sugar keeps the cookies sweet and moist, you can use store bought brown sugar or homemade brown sugar. 

Granulated white sugar. Granulated white sugar is used to sweeten the cookies.

Vanilla extract. It is important to use real vanilla extract when making this cookie recipe. You can use homemade vanilla extract or storebought vanilla extract.

Egg and Egg yolk. You will need whole egg and egg yolk, this binds the cookie ingredients together.

Old-fashioned Rolled oats. It is best to use old-fashioned rolled oats when making this recipe, you can use quick oats but you will not have the exact same results. 

Dried cranberries. I do not suggest using fresh cranberries in this recipe, you want to use dried cranberries, if you do not like cranberries you can change them out for raisins. 

How to Make Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and prepare the baking sheets by lining them with either parchment paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, whisk to combine, and then set this mixture aside.

Add the butter to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until the butter is melted.

In the bowl of your stand mixer add the the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Use the whisk attachment and whip them together until you achieve a light and fluffy texture, which typically takes around 2-3 minutes.

Next, change the stand mixer attachment to the paddle attachment and add the eggs one egg at a time into the mixture and mix until combined.

Gradually add the flour mixture and oats into the bowl, stirring just until everything is evenly combined.

Stir in the cranberries. If adding nuts or chocolate chips add them in now. 

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop balls of the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake in the oven for 14-16 minutes, until the cookies are a light golden brown.

Once the cookies are done baking, allow them to rest on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack until completely cooled.

Tasty Cranberry Recipes

• Cranberry granola bars
• Sparkling cranberry punch
• Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce

To make your kitchen life easier make sure you grab the how many cups is 4 quarts and all other liquid measurements printable chart!