Name: Cranberry Bliss Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened.; 2 cups white granulated sugar.; 2 eggs.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.; 1 teaspoon orange extract.; 1 teaspoon orange zest.; 1 teaspoon baking powder.; 1 teaspoon salt.; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.; 3 cups all-purpose flour.; 1 cup white chocolate chips.; 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped.; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened.; 3/4 cup powdered sugar.; 1/2 teaspoon orange extract.; 1 tablespoon milk or cream.; 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped for garnish.; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted for garnish.; Orange zest for garnish.

A close-up image of freshly baked cookies topped with white icing, dried cranberries, and orange zest, arranged on parchment paper. | recipesbyclare.com

Let me share my favorite holiday cookies - Cranberry Bliss Cookies! I've recreated all those amazing flavors from the coffee shop classic with soft zesty cookies loaded with white chocolate and cranberries topped with the creamiest frosting. Every bite tastes like pure holiday joy.

Why You'll Fall In Love

These cookies have that perfect balance of tart cranberries sweet white chocolate and tangy cream cheese frosting. They're so easy to make and always bring smiles whether you're sharing at cookie swaps family gatherings or just treating yourself to something special.

What You'll Need

Butter: Two sticks nice and soft for perfect texture.
Sugar: One cup makes them just sweet enough.
Eggs: Two large bring everything together.
Vanilla: One teaspoon pure extract please.
Orange Extract: One teaspoon adds that brightness.
Orange Zest: One tablespoon fresh makes all the difference.
Flour: Two and three quarter cups sifted.
White Chocolate: One cup of chips for sweetness.
Cranberries: Three quarters cup chopped up small.
Cream Cheese: Four ounces for that dreamy frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Two cups makes it perfectly sweet.
Milk: Just a splash to get the right consistency.

Let's Make These Together

Start With The Cookie Base: Cream your butter and sugar until fluffy add those eggs extracts and zest. Mix in flour bit by bit then fold in our white chocolate and cranberries just until they're happy together.
Time To Bake: Scoop those cookies onto your lined sheets about a tablespoon each. Into a 350°F oven they go just until the edges turn golden so pretty.
Make That Amazing Frosting: Beat your cream cheese powdered sugar orange extract and just enough milk until it's silky smooth. You want it creamy but not too soft.
Put It All Together: Once those cookies are cool top them with frosting sprinkle with cranberries and drizzle with melted white chocolate. Add that orange zest makes them sparkle.

My Best Tips

Room temperature butter makes all the difference in your dough. Pop it in the fridge for a quick chill before baking keeps them perfectly shaped. Use a cookie scoop if you have one makes every cookie just right.

A wooden board displays a variety of cookies topped with cream frosting, cranberries, and orange zest, accompanied by a red cloth and a bowl of cranberries. | recipesbyclare.com

Mix It Up

Try almond extract instead of orange sometimes or add some chopped pecans for crunch. Want them extra special? Dark chocolate chips alongside the white chocolate pure heaven.

Keep Them Fresh

These stay perfect in the fridge for five days. Love to plan ahead? Freeze those dough balls bake them straight from frozen just add a minute or two. Makes last-minute treats so easy.

Perfect For Gifting

These look so pretty wrapped in clear bags with festive ribbons or packed in holiday tins. They're my go-to for Secret Santa and hostess gifts everyone's eyes light up when they see them.

What Makes Them Special

These aren't your ordinary holiday cookies. That perfect mix of flavors plus they look absolutely gorgeous on any cookie plate. Always the first to disappear at parties.

Perfect Pairings

Nothing beats these with a cozy cup of tea or coffee. During the holidays try them with spiced cider or eggnog makes everything feel extra festive.

A cluster of decorated cookies with white icing, cranberries, and red sprinkles, arranged on a wooden surface with some fresh cranberries and a decorative container nearby. | recipesbyclare.com

Cookie Swap Star

These always steal the show at cookie swaps. That combo of cranberries citrus and creamy frosting makes them unique. Plus they just look so festive everyone asks for the recipe.

Plan Ahead

Make your dough a couple days ahead keep it in the fridge. Frost them the day before your party makes holiday hosting so much easier. Still taste fresh and amazing.

Everyone Can Enjoy

Need them gluten free? Just swap in your favorite one-to-one flour blend. Double check those chocolate chips too want everyone to be able to enjoy these little bits of holiday joy.

Cozy Touches

Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg makes them extra warm and cozy. Those spices with the orange and cranberry just taste like the holidays.

Smart Freezing

That cream cheese frosting freezes beautifully up to a month. Just thaw overnight give it a quick whip back to life and it's perfect for topping.

A close-up image of freshly baked cookies topped with white icing, cranberries, and orange zest. | recipesbyclare.com

Party Perfect

These cookies just make a party feel special. Something about their rich flavors and pretty presentation brings holiday magic to any gathering.

Fresh Is Best

Don't skip that fresh orange zest it's what makes these cookies shine. A microplane makes quick work of it gets all that amazing citrus oil.

White Chocolate Tips

Take your time melting that white chocolate quick bursts in the microwave stirring between. Makes the prettiest drizzles when it's smooth and perfect.

Not Just For Christmas

These work all year round just change up how you decorate them. Perfect for showers birthdays any time you want something a little special.

Feeding A Crowd

This recipe doubles beautifully when you need lots of cookies. Just make sure you've got enough frosting and toppings to make them all look gorgeous.

A plate of frosted cookies topped with cranberries, arranged on parchment paper with some cranberries and a cup of cranberry sauce nearby. | recipesbyclare.com

Made With Love

There's something special about making these from scratch. You control everything get them exactly how you like plus that homemade touch just makes them taste better.

Picture Perfect

Use a piping bag for those white chocolate drizzles makes them look bakery beautiful. Sprinkle the toppings right after so everything sticks perfectly.

Holiday Tradition

These cookies have become part of so many holiday traditions. That mix of sweet tart and creamy just captures the season perfectly.

Spread The Joy

Pack these up in pretty boxes or tins share them with everyone you love. There's no better way to say happy holidays than with these beautiful homemade treats.

A pile of frosted cookies topped with cranberries and drizzled with caramel sauce on a wooden surface. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?: Yes, you can refrigerate the dough up to two days or freeze unbaked cookie balls. If baking from frozen, add 1-2 minutes to bake time.
→ Why should I chill the dough?: Chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes prevents cookies from spreading too much and creates thicker cookies.
→ How do I properly melt white chocolate?: Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval to prevent burning. Stop when just melted.
→ What's the best way to get even cookies?: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform size, which helps all cookies bake evenly in the same amount of time.
→ Why use fresh orange zest?: Fresh zest provides the best citrus flavor. Use a microplane grater for finest results and most flavor.

Conclusion

Transform the popular Starbucks treat into cookies with this copycat recipe featuring white chocolate, cranberries, and orange zest, topped with cream cheese frosting.

Cranberry Bliss Cookies