Soft, chewy, and loaded with rich white chocolate and dried cranberries, these cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookies are quick to whip up and an easy cookie for the holidays.
If there was ever an oatmeal cookie that just screams Christmas it’s this batch of holiday magic right here!
I’m talking soft and impossibly chewy texture with a hint of warm winter spices, lots of vanilla, and a whole mess of tender oats, rich white chocolate, and dried cranberries.
Believe me, no one wonders why I can’t keep a batch of these stocked this time of year…
This is my absolute favorite recipe to pull out when I need a Christmas cookie stat but don’t have time to chill dough, roll out cookies, or decorate them. The dough is so simple to put together and start-to-finish you can have these on the cooling rack in only 25 minutes!
These Cookies feature…
- A soft and chewy texture with lots of tender oats
- Sweet white chocolate chips and dried cranberries
- A quick recipe that comes together in minutes with no dough chilling required
Making the Cookies
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Oats
- Baking soda
- Spices
- Salt
- White chocolate chips
- Dried cranberries
Storing Cookie Dough
If you would like to make up the dough for these cookies in advance it stores well in refrigerator up to 6 days. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap before storing and follow recipe instructions for baking cookies.
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Cookies
- Bring butter and egg to room temp – make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming with the sugar. Likewise, allow the egg to come to room temperature or submerge in hot water for about 2 minutes to quickly warm it so it incorporates easier into the butter.
- Use a stand mixer or mix dough by hand – this recipe is both mixer-friendly and old-fashioned-bowl-and-spoon friendly.
- Measure flour correctly – I use the spoon-and-level technique for measuring flour as this will prevent over-measuring your flour. Use a spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup, then level with the back of a knife.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats – I found that rolled oats give a much better cookie texture than quick-cooking.
- Flatten dough balls before baking – use the palm of your hand to gently flatten cookies before baking so they spread evenly while baking.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on these cookies.
- Add nuts – add 1/2 cup toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the dough.
- Use another chocolate – try a chopped dark chocolate bar or semisweet chocolate chips.
- Try another dried fruit – try dried blueberries, cherries, or raisins in place of the cranberries.
- Top cookies with a glaze – try a simple powdered sugar glaze or caramel sauce.
Storing and Freezing Cookies
Allow cookies to cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days. They’re delicious at room temperature, but also incredible reheated in the microwave 5-10 seconds on high.
To freeze cookies, allow to cool completely, then wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw cookies completely at room temperature and store up to 4 days.
Every bite of these cookies just screams Christmas! They’re jam-packed with so much goodness and even look festive with those pretty white chocolate chips and deep red cranberries baked on top.
This is a non-negotiable addition to your cookie lineup!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
More holiday cookies to bake next!
Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a large stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment OR in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. Mix on medium speed or by hand until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla to bowl and mix until smooth.
- Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a separate medium bowl. Add to butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Fold in white chocolate and cranberries.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough out into 1-in balls. Place balls 1-2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and gently flatten balls slightly.
- Bake cookies at 350F 10-12 minutes until cookies are a light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheet 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 12/8/25.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These cookies look amazing, Sarah! I love oatmeal cookies, but the not kind with raisins, so these look just perfect. Cranberries and white chocolate were meant to be together. I think I would devour this entire batch!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! You for SURE need a batch of these in your cookie jar!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
it’s like 27 degrees right now. . winter is a coming! a warm cookie every day sounds perfect to me!! love these cookies and LOVE the cranberries!
Sarah says
Right?? It’s SO cold now I can hardly believe it! Warm cookies are just a must now. 😉
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I want a cookie every day, too! It’s such a sad day when the last cookie has been eaten and a serious cookie craving hits. I’m a huge fan of anything with oatmeal, and these cookies with cranberries and white chocolate look sooo good!
Sarah says
Thank you Kristine! If you’ve got a ‘thang for oatmeal cookies, I guarantee you will love these!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I can’t get enough cranberry right now and I love the idea of using them in an oatmeal cookie. They look perfectly delicious!
Sarah says
Cranberries are my everything right now too! Thanks for the kind words, Amy. 🙂
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
These cookies look so tasty! I could do with a cookie every day of the year too!
Sarah says
Cookies 24/7 should totally be a thing, right?? Thanks Shelby!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Cookie season is the best and I’m totally down with a warm cookie a day especially if it’s a delicious looking oatmeal cookie 🙂 Soft and chewy cookies are my favorite and the white chocolate and cranberries are perfect together!
Sarah says
Yes! Bring on cookie season! Thanks for the sweet words, Kelly. 😀
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Cranberry and white chocolate oatmeal cookies are my very favorite!! These look so thick and chewy!
Sarah says
Thanks Jen! You would totally adore these cookies!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Hi, Sarah! I’m Cheyanne, and I like warm cookies too! But, I don’t want an intervention. I want to hoard ALL the warm cookies the land has to offer. ESPECIALLY these white chocolate and cranberry oatmeal cookies! These look beyond sensational, girl! I haven’t had breakfast yet and I’m thinking I just want a dozen (or two dozen) of these! Pinned! Cheers! 🙂
Sarah says
Haha! I’m glad I’m not the only one completely obsessed with warm cookies—they’re my weakness! Thanks for the super-kind words and for pinning, Cheyanne!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Allergy Friendly Eats says
These look so good! I love holiday cookie baking!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! Best time of the year right??
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Cranberry and white chocolate is one of my FAVORITE fall combos (I think only tied with chocolate and mint… 🙂 ) — adding these cookies to my holiday baking list for sure!
Sarah says
Both those combos are totally my favs too! 🙂
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
I’m allllll about a chewy cookie! Especially when there’s oatmeal involved!
Sarah says
Chewy cookies for the win, right?? Thanks Nicole!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Oh my goodness! I had no idea you could get precut baking sheets!
Can’t wait to try these cookies!
Sarah says
YES! Those sheets are literally life-changing! Love it. 😀
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
I am ALL about the cookies at this time of year! These look magical Sarah. I’m pinning them now, perfect for Christmas!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning and for the sweet words as always, Jessica! xoxo
marcie says
Cranberries, white chocolate, and oatmeal is one of the best combinations on the planet! These cookies look perfectly chewy and delicious, and I can go for about a dozen!
Sarah says
Agreed! There’s just no beating that killer combo. 😉 Thanks Marcie!
Sammie says
Oh wow, wow, wow. I love cookies. In fact if we don’t have any in the house & I’m unwell my daughters look up recipes on my site and bake cookies. They prefer chocolate ones, me I love oats and chewing fruits and with these having white chocolate in them the girls are going to be totally on board. It’s entirely possible to have multiple favourite cookies and these need to be made & eaten by me ASAP! Thank you for a brilliant recipe. Sammie 🙂
Sarah says
Thank you Sammie! Definitely let me know if you or your girls give these cookies a try! 🙂
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
These cookies look and sound fantastic Sarah! I love the cranberry white chocolate combo. Plus they are so pretty and perfect for the Holidays!
Sarah says
Aw thank you Kelley!!