This is one of my most favorite cookies I have ever made. It’s got an amazing depth of flavor… sweet and spicy, soft and chewy. Looking for more cookie recipes? Try my Sugar Cookie Recipe, Snickerdoodles, and Christmas Cookies!
Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
I entered these cookies in a Baking Competition (a big one… over 500 participants!) and they won FIRST PLACE. I think the addition of the cranberry adds something so wonderful to the texture of these cookies, giving them just enough uniqueness to stand apart from the crowd. If you love a good spice cookie, I think you will enjoy these!
These cookies spread quite a bit while baking, so you end up with a crisp cookie on the outside with beautiful soft texture inside. They don’t taste like a heavy cookie, they are surprisingly light and refreshing! A perfect complement to eggnog or Christmas Tea or milk.
Tips for success:
I use shortening in these cookies which I often call my “secret ingredient“. It really does something beautiful to these cookies in terms of texture. You can definitely use butter instead, but the texture will change.
You can use 2 teaspoons of Pumpkin Pie spice in place of the allspice and cinnamon. You can also substitute quick oats in this cookie, something I do often if I only have quick oats on hand.
How to Store and Freeze Cookies
- Cool baked products completely before wrapping and freezing.
- To protect flavor and prevent cookies from drying out, put them in freezer bags or plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
- Label all packages with the name of the recipe and the date.
- Freeze each different type of cookie in a separate container. Use waxed paper to separate layers of very soft, fragile, frosted or decorated cookies.
- Freeze cookies for up to 6 months and cookie dough for up to 4 months.
These cookies would also fair with paired with white chocolate in addition to the dark chocolate.
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/2 cup whole oats
- 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. (I bake these at 325°F in my convection oven.)
- In a medium bowl sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine well.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Then add oats, cranberries, and chocolate and combine by hand.
- Use 1/4 cup and scoop onto cookie sheet, you should get about 6 per sheet.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top no longer appears wet.
- Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.
Video
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Great recipe, light cookies, but FAR too much salt. 1/4 tablespoon salt would probably be enough
In 1992 or 1993 there was a morning show on. It was Mike and Molly or mike and Matty. They made a pumpkin pie with a cream cheese topping. It was like a custard. Called Peggy’s pumpkin pie. Lost my recipe. Maybe someone can come up with one. Thx.
Will they still turn out ok if i omit the chocolate chips?
Yes. 🙂
Good recipe. Can also substitute white chocolate chips and dried cherries. I’m sure there are many variations but the basic recipe is a good start.
I really love your recipes…however this one was really sweet…..too much for my taste buds. Next time I will leave out the chocolate chips. Otherwise really nice cookie….I ended up with 34 cookies in this batch.
I bake a LOT and I’m a freak about butter. But, I LOVE iAmBaker recipes! AWESOME. I’m going to break down and use the shortening in this recipe. BUT, I have a question…Has anyone tried it with butter flavored shortening? Or should I just stick to plain?
I wan’t sure about using Crisco and and allspice in an oatmeal cookie but these are delicious!
So excited to see this recipe pop up. We just finished a box of similar cookies from Trader Joe’s. Knew you had to have a recipe for this! After I buy the ingredients tomorrow, this is on my agenda! Hoping by substituting butter for the canned shortening, it will be just as good.
Outstanding recipe! With the exception of using dried cherries, cause that’s what I had on hand, followed your directions and these are wonderful!
Saving for sure!