Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

12/6/2017

Continuing the Christmas cookie trend today with these super easy Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies. They are put together in no time at all and freeze really well. They have a nice sweetness from the cranberries and a crunch from the walnuts. A great cookie to add to your Christmas baking.

One of the many wonderful things of living where we do, is all the holidays. There is nothing better in December, than getting a 5 day break before Christmas. It just so happens two national holidays fall within two days of each other. This year, one is today and the other one Friday. So clearly it would be just senseless to send the kids to school on Thursday, right? Correct. So, we are just kicking off our 5 day break and hoping to get into the Christmas spirit of things.

Top of my list of things to get done during this break, is to get a Christmas tree. I know, many of you have probably had you trees up since the Halloween decorations came down, but I am usually a second week of December kind of girl. We always have a real tree and we always keep it up until after Reyes, which is the the 6th of January. So, if I adorned that tree any earlier, it would be looking pretty sad come the first week of January. Plus, as much as I love Christmas, I don't love it in November.

Another fun activity we have planned is ice skating. My kids have only been on skates a couple of times in their lives and it has been at those pop up rinks in the local city centre. We have staked on the plastic rinks (yes, that's a thing apparently) and the real deal ice kind. For us it's a novelty and fun. Growing up in an ice skating culture and then years later watching little kids' eyes light up at the sheer sight of an ice rink is kind of sweet I gotta' say.

I am hoping the rink this year is the ice kind and not the plastic kind. Will let you know how that goes after today.

Another of the many planned activities over these next few days, is baking. Of course, it just wouldn't be Christmas without all the cookies, right? I talked about that the other day in another post You can click here, if you want to read all about those Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or how I really feel about getting it all done!

In the meantime, I have these easy cookies to share. I love layered and bar cookies this time of year. But I also enjoy making drop cookies. I used walnuts in these cookies, but I think pecans would be equally delicious if you happen to have those. I probably wouldln't use fresh cranberries though. Save those for the more special baking.

Okay off to finally start on my Christmas cards, late as usual, and get on with the activities.

Happy Baking!

Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Makes 3 Dozen (approximately) / Prep time: 10 minutes / Bake time: 8 minutes (per batch)

Ingredients

1 Cup/225 grams of butter
3/4 Cup/150 grams of brown sugar
1/2 Cup/100 grams of white granulated sugar
1 1/3 Cups/170 grams of plain flour
3/4 Cup/65 grams of rolled oats
1 egg
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon of salt
3/4 Cup/90 grams dried cranberries
3/4 Cup/95 grams dried walnuts

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Have ready a large baking tray lined with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter on high speed for a minute or so. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat until mixture is combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Stir in flour and oat mixture until combined. Fold in cranberries and dried walnuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto the baking tray. Bake for 7 or 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and leave to cook a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Repeat for remaining cookies.

Will keep in an airtight container for about a week or in the freezer for up to a month.

Click the downloadable link below to print recipe!