Nutella Cranberry Cookies
If you’re looking for a sweet treat that combines rich chocolate, sweet cranberries, and a buttery cookie, look no further than Nutella Cranberry Cookies! These delightful cookies are perfect for gatherings, the holidays, or just a cozy night in. With a beautiful balance of flavors and textures, they are sure to be a hit with friends and family. The creamy Nutella paired with tart cranberries creates a unique taste experience that everyone will love. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some delicious cookies!
Gather Your Nutella Cranberry Cookies Ingredients
To start, make sure you have all the ingredients ready for these yummy cookies! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (75 g) dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) 2 percent milk
- 3/4 cup (225 g) Nutella
Step-by-Step Nutella Cranberry Cookies Recipe
Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get started on making these delicious cookies:
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Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
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Mix in Vanilla: Beat in the vanilla extract until it’s well combined with the butter and sugar mixture.
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Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until just combined.
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Add Cranberries: Stir in the finely chopped dried cranberries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed in the dough.
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Chill the Dough: Divide the cookie dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the dough is firm enough to roll.
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Preheat the Oven: While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
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Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
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Cut Into Shapes: Using a 2-inch diamond-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies from the dough and place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
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Brush with Milk: Lightly brush the tops of the cookies with milk for a nice finish.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
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Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
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Assemble: Once cooled, spread Nutella on the bottoms of half of the cookies and top them with the remaining cookies to create delicious sandwiches.
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Store: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and tasty.
How to Serve Nutella Cranberry Cookies
These cookies can be enjoyed in many delicious ways! Serve them alongside hot beverages like coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. You can also arrange them on a platter for a festive dessert spread during parties or family gatherings. If you want to make them extra special, consider dusting the cookies with a little extra confectioners’ sugar before serving. They also make for great gifts when placed in a cute box or jar!
Expert Tips for Nutella Cranberry Cookies
- Dried Fruit Options: Feel free to experiment with different dried fruits! Chopped apricots or cherries would be fantastic alternatives to cranberries.
- Nut Alternatives: If you’re a fan of nuts, consider adding chopped walnuts or hazelnuts for an added crunch.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
Nutella Cranberry Cookies FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
2. How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, Nutella Cranberry Cookies can stay fresh for up to a week.
3. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the shaped dough disks wrapped in plastic for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw in the fridge before rolling and baking.
These Nutella Cranberry Cookies are a delightful blend of flavors and textures that everyone will love. So why not give this recipe a try? You won’t regret indulging in these sweet, chocolatey treats! Enjoy every bite!
Nutella Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup 2 percent milk
- 3/4 cup Nutella
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners' sugar on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 5-7 minutes).
- Beat in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the finely chopped dried cranberries until evenly distributed in the dough.
- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until sufficiently firm.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) while the dough is chilling.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Using a 2-inch diamond-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Lightly brush the tops of the cookies with milk.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Assembly
- Once cooled, spread Nutella on the bottoms of half of the cookies and top with the remaining cookies to create sandwiches.
- Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
