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Chocolate Cranberry Sauce Cookies

Chocolate cranberry cookies are a soft, sweet delight perfect for the holidays and more.

A plate with three delectable cranberry sauce cookies rests on a wooden table. The table is adorned with a floral-patterned cloth, adding charm. Text overlay proudly states "chocolate CRANBERRY SAUCE cookies." The image features the Rootsy logo.

These cookies are the perfect, easy way to use leftover cranberry sauce beyond spreading it on leftover turkey sandwiches.

Because these are soft and moist these make great cookies to tuck into care packages or otherwise share as gifts.

Cranberry Sauce

Use any whole berry cranberry sauce you have on hand in this recipe. Homemade or store-bought won’t matter.

That orange cranberry sauce that is a family tradition, use it here. Chocolate, orange, and cranberry will combine delightfully in these cookies.

These cookies were tested with a whole cranberry sauce, not the jellied kind. The bits of whole cranberries make the cookies chewy and hearty.

If you want to make something other than cookies, we have an entire collection of recipes using leftover cranberry sauce here.

Nuts

Slivered almonds give these otherwise soft chewy some crunch.

Don’t like almonds? Substitute any roughly chopped nut you prefer. If you use something other than almonds, use vanilla extract rather than the almond extract in the recipe.

Using the Pantry

The recipe uses cocoa for ease. It’s likely in most pantries already and skips the expense of baking chocolate.

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A white plate with three chocolate cranberry sauce cookies sits on a wooden table alongside a glass of milk. A floral napkin is partially visible next to the plate.

The mini chocolate chips add a nice touch but can easily be skipped if there aren’t any on hand.

Substitute regular chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips if desired.

Options for Decorating

These cookies are amazing just as the recipe is written. However, there are ways to make them a bit fancier.

Spread them with cream cheese frosting to put on a cookie platter during the holidays.

Looking for more cookie recipes & ideas? Our Guide to Gifting Cookies, contains 13 recipes and ideas for giving recipes as gifts.

Drizzle the cookies with some melted chocolate

Make small cookies and spread the bottom of one cookie with chocolate frosting and put another cookie on top for sandwich cookies.

Dip half a cookie in melted white chocolate for a beautiful effect.

Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. We always appreciate your feedback. You can also save the recipe for later by pinning it or clicking on the heart in the lower right hand corner.

Yield: 2 1/2 Dozen

Chocolate Cranberry Sauce Cookies

A white plate with three round, chocolate cookies, featuring visible chunks, rests on a wooden surface. A small, brown acorn-shaped object and a floral napkin are nearby.

Chocolate cranberry sauce cookies are a delicious way to use leftover cranberry sauce in a handheld package perfect for packing in lunches and care packages.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Salted Butter, softened
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
  • 3/4 Cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 1/2 Cups Unbleached, All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds
  • 1/2 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Line cookies sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
  3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
  4. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffly.
  5. Beat in the egg, cranberry sauce, and almond extract. Mix until completely incorporated.
  6. Slowly mix in the flour mixture until almost completely combined.
  7. Fold in the almonds and chocolate chips. Mix until the dough is thoroughly combined.
  8. Drop by Tablespoons full onto prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies will be puffy and edges golden brown.
  10. Remove to cool completely on wire racks.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g

We can not guarantee that this nutrition data is 100% correct.

A plate showcasing cranberry sauce cookies rests on a dark wooden table, with three delectable treats ready to be enjoyed. A glass of milk peeks from the background. The words "Chocolate Cranberry Sauce Cookies" and "Rootsy" elegantly grace the image.

Thanks for sharing!

Catherine

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Great recipe. They are a soft cookie. I experimented with adding chopped pecans. Worked well. Added a tsp instant coffee powder and a couple shakes of cinnamon and a few sprinkles of red pepper with the flour. Left out the chips because I wanted to test the recipe.

Amy Nash

Sunday 8th of December 2019

What a fantastic cookie idea! I'm going to use some of my leftover cranberry sauce to make these instead of the canned stuff!

Leanne

Friday 6th of December 2019

I always have cranberry sauce leftover during the holidays. What a great way to repurpose it. These cookies look decadent and delicious!

Lauren Schmidt

Thursday 5th of December 2019

Love that you use leftover cranberry sauce! Such a fabulous idea!!

Samantha

Tuesday 3rd of December 2019

Oh I have an extra can of cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving, great timing!

Angi Schneider

Thursday 5th of December 2019

You're welcome.

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