It’s the time of year for indulgent delights like Almond Cranberry Cookies With White Chocolate Frosting. They are perfect as a dessert treat with coffee or port, as an addition to a dessert platter or packaged as a pretty gift to share.
I’m sharing the recipe along with recipes from my friends for a virtual cookie exchange! Their links are at the end of the post.
Almond Cranberry Oat Biscuits With White Chocolate
This delightful treat is like an English biscuit since the cookie is firm and more crisp. It combines the nuttiness of almonds, the tart chewiness of cranberries, and the creamy sweetness of white chocolate.
Toasting Almonds and the Tartness of Cranberries
The marriage of toasted almonds, tart cranberries and orange zest makes each bite burst with a blend of textures and tastes.
Cookie Recipe Source
This recipe is derived from the cookbook Sweet by Helen Goh and Yotam Ottolenghi. This book would make a nice gift for the bakers in your family.
- 1 cup whole almonds, skin on
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp finely grated zest of one orange
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries soaked in 2 tbsp orange juice
- 9 oz or more if needed white chocolate
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
-
Spread the almonds out on a baking tray and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and, once cool enough to handle, roughly chop into 1/4" pieces. Transfer the nuts to a large bowl and add the flours, oats and salt. Mix together and set aside
-
Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Line two or three baking trays with baking parchment and set aside.
-
Place the butter, sugar and orange zest in the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment in place. Beat on a medium speed for about 2 minutes, until combined and light. Add the almond and flour mix to the butter and sugar and continue to mix on a low speed until the dough just comes together. Add the cranberries and orange juice and mix for another few seconds to combine, then tip the dough on to a lightly floured work surface. Knead into a ball, sprinkling over more flour if needed to prevent it getting too sticky.
-
Cut the dough in half and roll out one half so that it’s just over 1/4 inch thick. Use a 3" cookie cutter to cut the dough into rounds. Transfer these to a lined tray while you continue with the remaining dough. Bake for 18 minutes, until lightly colored all over. Remove from the oven and set aside until completely cool.
-
Meanwhile, place the white chocolate in a small bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring occasionally, until melted. Do not let the base of the bowl touch the water. To coat the cookies, use the back of a dessert spoon to spread a tablespoon of melted chocolate over each. Set aside on a cooling rack for the chocolate to set, which can take up to an hour, before serving.
-
These will keep for up to a week in an airtight container….or longer in the freezer.
Almond Cranberry Cookies With White Chocolate Gift Packages
Packaged in cellophane the biscuits make a nice hostess gift or party favor.
You may also like A Roundup Of My Best Desserts. I’m going to bake a couple of things from this post while the family is here for Christmas. Also, did you see 6 Cutting Edge Gifts For Cooking Enthusiasts?
Try baking a batch of Almond Cranberry Biscuits for yourself and savor each delicious bite!
Now, on to the Cookie Exchange. I’m excited to see what is in store in the sweets department!
Barb L says
These cookies look delicious! I have saved (all) the recipes and will be making them all. What a fun post!
Kathy Walker says
I just finished making bread with similar ingredients. Ken loved it. So I will make these for him too. Thanks so much. Xoxo
Juliet says
MA, these look delicious. Cranberry and orange is such an amazing combination + almonds. Love the frosting. Wish we were really getting together to exchange cookies and chit chat! xo
Kim says
Mary Ann, Those look so good. Would love them with tea! Saving this for my Xmas rotation. xo
Katherine says
Hi Mary Ann,
These cookies look and sound yummy. Your family you be so happy that you took time to bake for them.
Diane says
These “English Biscuits” sound delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe and your other best desserts recipes. I can’t wait to make them!
Molly says
Hi Mary Ann! I love the sound of these with the nuts, fruit, and also oatmeal. I say that all sounds healthy, ha! So fun to join you for this cookie exchange!
Pat Huber says
I’m going to make these! Maybe try dark chocolate also?? Thank you Mary Ann.
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says
Good morning Mary Ann!
Your cookies look delicious! I cannot wait to make them and add them to my holiday cookie platter!