Cherry Or Cranberry Cashew Cookies
Chewy, buttery cookies loaded with dried cherries or cranberries, crunchy cashews, and melty vanilla milk chips, perfect for satisfying sweet and tart cravings in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter or margarine, softened ⓘ
- 3/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 2 1/4 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) package vanilla milk chips or 1 2/3 cups chopped white chocolate ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups dried cherries or cranberries ⓘ
- 1 cup lightly salted cashews ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour and baking soda mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well.
- Stir in vanilla milk chips, dried cherries or cranberries, and cashews.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of these cookies, consider toasting the cashews lightly before adding them to the dough. If you don't have vanilla milk chips, you can substitute with regular chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate. For a slightly healthier twist, try using coconut oil instead of butter and a sugar substitute for a lower-calorie option.
Serving Suggestions
These Cherry or Cranberry Cashew Cookies make a delightful treat on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of tea. For a festive touch, serve them alongside a slice of Old Fashioned Fruit Cake(Stack Cake) during holiday gatherings. They can also be a sweet addition to any dessert platter.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them up in an oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry Or Cranberry Cashew Cookies contains roughly 1931 calories, with 30g protein, 215g carbohydrates, and 97g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (65% of the Daily Value), protein (60% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 479mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries or cranberries instead of dried?
While fresh cherries or cranberries can be used, they will change the texture and moisture content of the cookies. Dried fruits provide concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture that complements the cookies well. If using fresh, consider reducing other liquid ingredients slightly.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that all other ingredients, particularly the baking soda, are gluten-free. This will allow you to enjoy delicious cookies without gluten.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and scoop it onto baking sheets, then freeze the unbaked cookies. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time while keeping the oven temperature the same.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).