Cranberry Hazelnut Cookies

I know. Everybody loves cookies with chocolate. But if you’re willing to try these cookies, they will, I promise, make your top two favorite cookies ever list. I’m not kidding.

Cranberries – fresh ones – so that they’re moist and bursting with flavor, pair with the fragrance and crunch of toasted hazelnuts in this cookie. Everything else is a pretty standard drop cookie dough. There’s just something about the cranberries and hazelnuts!

This recipe was actually published in Oklahoma Today magazine years ago. They didn’t want the recipe, per se, it just came with the article they asked me to write on cranberries. I jumped at the chance because, as with many of my fellow bloggers, if not all, I just love cranberries. They scream holidays for me.

Plus, they’re so versatile. They’re so good cookies, like this recipe, as they are in a cranberry compote or a cranberry chutney – adding that tartness that is so unique and yet so necessary. I just have a love relationship with these little guys. Back in our lean years, I even made cranberry garlands for our Christmas tree. So beautiful and festive.

But back to the cookie recipe, here it is. I know you’ll enjoy its uniqueness and fabulousness as much as I do!

Cranberry Hazelnut Cookies

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup, packed, brown sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk or orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups chopped cranberries
1 cup chopped, toasted hazelnuts

Before you begin, have all of your major players ready. Have your cranberries rinsed, dried, and chopped. Have your hazelnuts skinned, and have the flour sifted along with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

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Place the butter in a large bowl, along with both sugars.

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Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until fluffy. Then add the eggs, milk, and vanilla.

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Beat the batter well. Then gradually add the flour mixture, beating at a low speed, until it’s almost all incorporated into the batter.

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It will be slightly crumbly.

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Switch to a spoon, and add the cranberries and hazelnuts.

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Fold them in until they’re completely incorporated into the batter. At this point you can chill the dough for a couple of hours and continue with the recipe, or chill the dough overnight, which is what I did. To continue, pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and let it warm for about 30 minutes.

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Then, using a scoop, place balls of dough, approximately 1 1/2″ in diameter on a non-stick or greased cookie sheet, approximately 2″ apart from each other.

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Bake them for approximately 15 minutes; the time will vary depending on how thick they are, your oven temperature, and the temperature of the dough. When they’re done they should be ever so slightly golden, but still soft to the touch.

After about a minute rest, place the cookies on a rack to cool. Then they’re ready to serve. Or hide, whichever you want to do.

I have frozen these cookies with good luck, so if you need to hide them from people, freezing is a great idea.

If people get to them, there will be none left. Guaranteed. Merry Christmas.

By Published On: November 8th, 202280 Comments on Cranberry Hazelnut Cookies

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

80 Comments

  1. radhika25 December 23, 2013 at 9:34 AM - Reply

    I love cranberry and macadamia cookies. Make them often….but have never made cookies with fresh cranberries. We don’t see the fresh ones normally in Singapore, but they are here for Christmas. I’m going to try these out. They look beautiful!

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 10:22 AM - Reply

      Thank you! I guarantee you will love them!

  2. apuginthekitchen December 23, 2013 at 10:22 AM - Reply

    Really the perfect holiday cookie, they look so soft and moist. They look wonderful. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

  3. Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward December 23, 2013 at 11:45 AM - Reply

    These look amazing, especially with the fresh cranberries, Mimi! Happy holidays. :-)

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 12:43 PM - Reply

      Thanks, Shanna. Merry Christmas to your sweet family!

  4. sallybr December 23, 2013 at 12:55 PM - Reply

    “If you need to hide them from people”… he, he, he…. loved it!

    I have all ingredients, but the department is basically empty no more students around, and very few faculty members…. I think I’d have to wait for the New Year to make a batch of these beauties… they do seem amazing!

    Happy Holidays!!!!!

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 1:59 PM - Reply

      They really really are!!!
      Happy Holidays to you and your family!

  5. StefanGourmet December 23, 2013 at 1:31 PM - Reply

    These look great, Mimi! Happy X-mas!

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 1:59 PM - Reply

      Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Stefan!

  6. emmabarrett1508 December 23, 2013 at 3:37 PM - Reply

    I love cranberries, can’t get enough of them. Looking forward to trying these cookies at home. Check out my recipe for cranberry and white chocolate chip muffins on http://www.surreyKitchen.com. Emma xx

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 5:17 PM - Reply

      Oh my. I’ve never had that combo in muffins! Merry Christmas!

  7. Choc Chip Uru December 23, 2013 at 4:56 PM - Reply

    Cranberries are such a wonderfully festive fruit, thank you for a delicious cookie recipe my friend :D

    Happy Holidays!
    CCU

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 5:16 PM - Reply

      Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

  8. ladyredspecs December 23, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Reply

    Wonderful flavour combo Mimi. Have a happy Christmas!

    • chef mimi December 23, 2013 at 5:16 PM - Reply

      Thank you so much! Have a wonderful and warm Christmas!

  9. Cate @ Chez CateyLou December 23, 2013 at 9:31 PM - Reply

    These look delicious! What a great combo of flavors, and so festive! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas

    • chef mimi December 24, 2013 at 7:01 AM - Reply

      Fresh cranberries and toasted hazelnuts really do make a fabulous combination. Merry Christmas Miss Catey Lou!

  10. mmmarzipan December 23, 2013 at 10:41 PM - Reply

    I know I’d ADORE these!

  11. Charlotte December 24, 2013 at 4:29 AM - Reply

    My sister bugh cranberries by mistake yesterday…I know just how to use them now!

    • chef mimi December 24, 2013 at 6:56 AM - Reply

      Hahaha! Wonderful. You’ll have to tell me what you think!

  12. eliotthecat December 26, 2013 at 7:21 PM - Reply

    Cranberries and hazelnuts scream holidays to me! I love that this recipe uses fresh cranberries. If I ever bake (and eat) anything sweet again, I will certainly try these. Right now I don’t care if I ever see anything sugary again! :) Happy Holidays!

    • chef mimi December 27, 2013 at 7:16 AM - Reply

      I know what you mean. I’m ALMOST sick of cheese…

  13. StefanGourmet January 4, 2014 at 1:35 PM - Reply

    Just made these and we like them! Think I should have used more cranberries. I used 2.5 cups cranberries, perhaps 2.5 cups chopped cranberries is more? I think these would also be great with chocolate chips added in :-)

    • chef mimi January 4, 2014 at 3:07 PM - Reply

      Oh that’s great! Definitely, 2 1/2 cups chopped cranberries is more than 2 1/2 cups whole cranberries, but you get the idea. Even with their tartness, they’re fabulous in these cookies, aren’t they?!!

  14. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen November 8, 2022 at 7:23 AM - Reply

    These look divine! Just enough cookie to hold the cranberries and hazelnuts together! I love cranberry in anything, so I know I’d love these, especially on a pretty holiday plate.

    • Chef Mimi November 8, 2022 at 7:59 AM - Reply

      I agree. Such a fabulous fruit!

  15. Charlie DeSando November 8, 2022 at 7:38 AM - Reply

    Those look outstanding! The berries are just oozing with flavor

    • Chef Mimi November 8, 2022 at 7:59 AM - Reply

      Thanks. I just love fresh cranberries!

  16. terrie gura November 8, 2022 at 8:13 AM - Reply

    My taste buds are begging for a bite of these!!! Mimi, I think WordPress has hijacked your link for removing the hazelnut skins. I got a 404 message. Are the skins bitter like on walnuts? I have some hazelnuts in the pantry, and I’m ready to give this a go.

    • Chef Mimi November 8, 2022 at 8:17 AM - Reply

      Oh ooops. Good to know. They aren’t bitter, but they’re like paper, and not really palatable. Plus the nuts without the skins look better toasted.

  17. Healthy World Cuisine November 8, 2022 at 9:31 AM - Reply

    Delicious way to get into the holiday spirit. I can only imagine how delicious the tart cranberries are with sweet cookie and irresistible macadamia nuts. We are addicted to chewy cookies. It’s time to get baking. Thanks so much for this easy cookie recipe. Love it!

    • Chef Mimi November 8, 2022 at 10:38 AM - Reply

      Of course it’s easy! I can’t bake to save my life!!!

      • Healthy World Cuisine November 11, 2022 at 6:55 PM

        You are always cracking up. There is all that measuring stuff to do.. LOL

      • Chef Mimi November 12, 2022 at 10:26 AM

        There certainly is!

  18. Eva Taylor November 8, 2022 at 12:22 PM - Reply

    These type of recipes usually call for sweetened, dried cranberries so I am totally in LOVE that these are fresh and unsweetened. Definitely going on my Christmas baking list.

    • Chef Mimi November 9, 2022 at 6:30 AM - Reply

      Yes, I agree! There’s nothing like fresh cranberries. I like the dried ones too but they’re so different.

  19. Sherry M November 8, 2022 at 7:43 PM - Reply

    i wonder if you could use raspberries instead as we don’t have cranberries in Australia!

    • Chef Mimi November 9, 2022 at 6:31 AM - Reply

      What about quandongs? Is that how they’re spelled? Cranberries are tart, so raspberries wouldn’t work at all.

  20. nancyc November 8, 2022 at 8:26 PM - Reply

    I really like using fresh cranberries in my holiday baking, so these cookies are perfect! :)

    • Chef Mimi November 9, 2022 at 6:32 AM - Reply

      They are so good with the toasted hazelnuts. Hope you have a chance to try them!

  21. Debra November 8, 2022 at 9:20 PM - Reply

    I love cranberries, and my husband is really crazy for them. The combination of hazelnut with cranberries is a real winner! I don’t actually do a lot of baking these days, but I was thinking the other day how glad I was for a reason to bake cookies–the holidays! I think this recipe will be the star this season. I’m not waiting for Christmas, either! :-)

    • Chef Mimi November 9, 2022 at 6:33 AM - Reply

      Hahaha! Don’t wait! I really like the combination, plus the cookie itself isn’t overly sweet.

  22. David @ Spiced November 9, 2022 at 6:34 AM - Reply

    You are absolutely right that cranberries scream holidays! I love sugaring them as decorations on cakes…or brie. While a good chocolate chip cookie is a classic, I think I would reach for one of these instead. They sound delicious! (Ok, maybe I’ll grab one of each type of cookie…haha.) And great use of hazelnuts here, too. Hazelnuts are underappreciated in the nut world, but they are so tasty!

    • Chef Mimi November 9, 2022 at 6:37 AM - Reply

      Are hazelnuts under appreciated? Oh no. I don’t understand that at all, but then, they’re my favorite nut. And toasted, they’re almost like a completely different nut. Hope you get a chance to make these cookies!

  23. Gerlinde de Broekert November 9, 2022 at 8:03 PM - Reply

    I love cranberries and I like the idea that you put fresh ones in the cookies. I going to have to make these.

    • Chef Mimi November 10, 2022 at 7:58 AM - Reply

      Yes! The tartness and sweetness is fabulous in this cookie.

  24. Ann Coleman November 9, 2022 at 9:19 PM - Reply

    Those look great! And I always make Christmas cookies…I think these will make the cute this year!

    • Chef Mimi November 10, 2022 at 7:57 AM - Reply

      Thanks, Ann. They’re really good.

  25. Liz November 10, 2022 at 7:48 PM - Reply

    I love cranberries strung on our tree….but I like them in cookies even more!!! YUM!

    • Chef Mimi November 11, 2022 at 6:47 AM - Reply

      They really are pretty on trees. I should do that again. I haven’t since my girls were little!

  26. neil@neilshealthymeals.com November 11, 2022 at 4:29 AM - Reply

    I love everything cranberries and these cranberry hazelnut cookies look amazing. Can’t wait to try them out closer to christmas when I can get fresh cranberries here!

    • Chef Mimi November 11, 2022 at 6:47 AM - Reply

      I think you’ll love them!

  27. Jean November 11, 2022 at 6:19 PM - Reply

    This is my kind of cookie and it’s so perfect for the season.

    • Chef Mimi November 12, 2022 at 10:26 AM - Reply

      I hope you have a chance to make them – they fabulous!

  28. Linger, Kristy Murray November 12, 2022 at 3:52 PM - Reply

    What a wonderful cookie recipe Mimi, and just in time for the Holiday season. This is so a great idea for a food gift basket. Thanks so much for sharing!

    • Chef Mimi November 12, 2022 at 4:18 PM - Reply

      Thanks, Kristy. They’re really good!

  29. pauline November 12, 2022 at 8:17 PM - Reply

    These look like beautiful and delicious Christmas cookies. I’m yet to see fresh cranberries here in North Queensland, so I’m just used to using the dried ones. Terrific recipe, thanks Mimi.

    • Chef Mimi November 13, 2022 at 5:10 AM - Reply

      Oh that’s too bad. They are just so different fresh than dried.

  30. Frank Fariello November 13, 2022 at 7:18 AM - Reply

    These look wonderful! And you’re right, cranberries are just too good to enjoy just once or twice a year.

    • Chef Mimi November 13, 2022 at 8:28 AM - Reply

      They really are! And I never freeze enough.

  31. Jeff the Chef November 13, 2022 at 9:04 AM - Reply

    Cranberries are one of my favorite things. I look forward to the time of year when you can get them fresh. I’m always looking for things to do with them, and have never used them in cookies! I love the idea of pairing them with hazlenuts.

    • Chef Mimi November 13, 2022 at 9:16 AM - Reply

      Thanks, Jeff! Yes, the pairing of fresh cranberries and the toasted hazelnuts is exquisite! Hope you get a chance to make them.

  32. In Good Flavor (@InGoodFlavor) November 13, 2022 at 7:58 PM - Reply

    I love the tartness and sweetness of cranberry desserts. Cranberries also add a beautiful pop of color to everything. These cookies look amazing and perfect for this time of year.

    • Chef Mimi November 14, 2022 at 5:11 AM - Reply

      Thanks, Thao! The combination is really wonderful!

  33. Valentina November 13, 2022 at 8:03 PM - Reply

    I’m sold, Mimi! Making these ASAP. I’m a huge hazelnut fan — LOVE them, and can imagine how delicious the combination is with the tart fruit. :-) ~Valentina

    • Chef Mimi November 14, 2022 at 5:10 AM - Reply

      I truly hope you get a chance to make these. Cookies don’t normally get me excited, but these are wonderful.

  34. Elena Bourke November 13, 2022 at 9:04 PM - Reply

    Tart cranberries, crunchy, toasted and fragrant hazelnuts. This sounds like a fabulous cookie. And yes, cranberries do scream ‘holidays’. Thanks, Mimi.

    • Chef Mimi November 14, 2022 at 5:08 AM - Reply

      It truly is a fabulous cookie. Hope you get a chance to make them!

      • Elena Bourke November 14, 2022 at 9:19 AM

        My daughter and I have already put it on the ‘bake list’ for December. :)

      • Chef Mimi November 15, 2022 at 8:04 AM

        You’ll love them!

  35. David Scott Allen November 19, 2022 at 2:48 PM - Reply

    You don’t have to convince me — I am on board! The fact they they use fresh cranberries makes all the difference. I imagine (until I make them and try them) that there is a nice balance between sweet and tart. As usual, I am sure I won’t get to cookies before Christmas but why not these for Valentine’s Day?

    • Chef Mimi November 20, 2022 at 10:49 AM - Reply

      Oh definitely. Hell, I’d make them in the summer if I could find cranberries!

  36. Angela November 20, 2022 at 2:29 AM - Reply

    These look fantastic! I love cranberry anything. I might add some white chocolate chips to mine. Yum. Thanks for the recipe

    • Chef Mimi November 20, 2022 at 10:48 AM - Reply

      I can see why you’d want to do that, but the chocolate of course would make them sweeter, and they’re just so good with the toasted hazelnuts and raw cranberries…

  37. Ronit November 20, 2022 at 2:52 PM - Reply

    I must have missed these cookies somehow, but am glad to see the recipe, as I have lots of fresh cranberries that need to be put into good use! :)

    • Chef Mimi November 21, 2022 at 8:04 AM - Reply

      Oh, you’ll love them. Please make them!!!

  38. In Good Flavor (@InGoodFlavor) November 20, 2022 at 8:18 PM - Reply

    I love cranberry season. Once I start baking with them I can’t stop :)
    I want a handful of these cookies to eat right now. They look so good!! I can almost taste the wonderfully sweet/tart combination.

    • Chef Mimi November 21, 2022 at 8:05 AM - Reply

      The toasted hazelnut and raw cranberry combination is so good…. you won’t be able to stop eating them!

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