Soft & chewy these Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies are simply delightful. Perfect Christmas/Winter cookies that won't last long in the cookie jar!
Chocolate chip cookies are absolutely adored by everyone in our house and these Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies are my festive, wintery take on this all time favourite!
When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, soft and chewy are the ones that we tend to love the most. They are also the most requested bake in our house. Usually, I don't tend to tinker with my favourite recipe. I might swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate or mixture of both or perhaps add some white ones for good measure as well, but that's it! However, considering the time of year and feeling rather festive I thought I could give our favourite cookies a little seasonal makeover and I must say I am super pleased with the result!
I love dark chocolate a lot and will always favour it over other varieties plus it goes beautifully with cranberries. The addition of chestnuts was more of a happy accident or rather me being frugal and trying to use up the pack of chestnuts I had opened when making my Brussels Sprouts, Bacon & Chestnuts Macaroni Cheese (I highly recommend these Merchant Gourmet* ones which are widely available in most supermarkets and online).
Chestnuts add a bit of crunch (even though they are lighter and softer than other nuts) and a bit of gentle sweetness too. I must say that dark chocolate and cranberries definitely prevail in flavour department though and what a delicious flavour it is!
Few Baking Tips!
These Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies are super quick and easy to make and don't even require a mixer! Single bowl is all you need! That makes them perfect for when unexpected guests pop in, bake sales, or even late night munchies lol. Don't we all get them sometimes?
These cookies like to spread a bit during baking so make sure to leave enough space in between them to allow for that.
Make sure you bake them on a non stick baking sheet or failing that the one covered with baking/greaseproof paper or these reusable silicone mats* to prevent them from sticking. When you first take them out of the oven after 8-10 minutes of baking, let them sit on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes to give them a chance to firm up a bit as they will initially be very prone to breaking. After couple of minutes of resting time you can safely move them onto the cooling rack to cool completely.
As ever, feel free to make substitution according to your taste. If you don't like chestnuts feel free to use any other nuts you like - either walnuts or pecans would go really nice here. I would stick to dark chocolate with these cookies though but if you are really not a dark chocolate fan, white chocolate and cranberries go really well together too.
Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies - Step-By-Step Instructions
📋 Recipe
Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies
Ingredients
- 150 g plain or white spelt flour
- 150 g light brown sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg lightly whisked
- 100 g dark chocolate chips
- 50 g dried cranberries
- 50 g chestnuts roughly chopped
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with baking/greaseproof paper or silicone liners.
- Melt the butter (in a microwave or in a small pan on the hob/stovetop) and pour it into the large bowl.
- Add the sugar and beat it in vigorously with a wooden spoon.
- Add vanilla extract and lightly whisked egg and beat some more.
- Add the flour, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt and mix well until all combined.
- Add chocolate chips, dried cranberries and chopped chestnuts and mix them all well until incorporated evenly throughout the cookie mix.
- Use a heaped tablespoon (the measuring one) of cookie mixture for every cookie and scoop it onto the baking sheet leaving enough space in between the cookies to allow them to spread as they bake.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until they start to turn light brown. Once out of the oven let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for couple of minutes to firm up a bit. Transfer them onto the cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional information is approximate and for guideline only.
- You could replace dark chocolate chips with milk or white ones if you prefer.
Nutrition
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Have you tried my Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post, I love reading them! You can also come and say hello over on my Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest
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I’m linking my Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies recipe with the following pages:
Cook Blog Share hosted this week by Eb at Easy Peasy Foodie
Cook Once Eat Twice hosted by Corina at Searching for Spice
Bake of the Week hosted by Jenny at Mummy Mishaps and Helen at Casa Costello
Baking Crumbs hosted by Jenny over at Apply To Face Blog
Fiesta Friday hosted by Angie and Jhuls at The Not So Creative Cook and Diann at Of Goats and Greens
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Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
These look yummy and I have some chestnuts to use up!
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Kat! 🙂 They're meant to be then lol.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
Chocolate chip cookies are the favorite in my house as well. I love your fun, seasonal twist—I'll defo have to try these!
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Michelle! ? Chocolate chip cookies are just the best and delicious seasonal touches give you an excuse to bake them even at Christmas ?
Of Goats and Greens says
Cool idea, never thought about putting chestnuts into cookies! Dark chocolate of course is ALWAYS good! Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday! Have a great holiday week!
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you you too! ?
Riley says
GREAT batter! However, I think this recipe could be perfected by roasting or microwaving the chestnuts after you peel them before adding them to the batter. They are a bit too crunchy if you add them raw. I also used fresh cranberries, which were fabulous! Adding nutmeg to this recipe gives it an extra fall kick as well. The cookies don't spread too much, so you don't need to worry about them taking over your baking sheet. Overall, really delicious! Thank you!
Riley says
Forgot to add, I made them without chocolate chips. I'm sure they're great both ways! Definitely plenty of flavor in fresh cranberries and chestnuts.
joskitchenlarder says
Hi Riley, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the cookies! 🙂 Just to clarify, the recipe doesn't call for raw chestnuts. I'm not sure where you're based but in the UK we can buy vacuum packed cooked chestnuts which are soft and perfect for adding into bakes. I mentioned that in the post but will update recipe card to make it clearer. Thanks! 🙂
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
These look so good!
I already baked some gingerbread cookies, but your chocolate cranberry treats are so tempting!
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Alina ? we’ve had both ?
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
I always prefer dark chocolate when it comes to cookies, too. I haven't tried adding cranberries nor chestnuts in my baked good, but I am sure these are amazing!! Thank you for bringing these at Fiesta Friday table. Happy holidays, Jo.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank yo use much Jhuls! It offsets the sweetness of the cookies just right, doesn't it. Happy holidays to you too! x
jenny walters says
Gosh these look so good. I can just imagine the dark chocolate and sweet cranberry combo, delicious.A great Xmas treat .Thanks of course for bringing these jewelled beauties to #BakingCrumbs
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Jenny! 🙂 Lovely festive flavours combo it is indeed! 🙂 xx
Jenny Paulin says
oooooh these look delish! I prefer softer cookies too. I also love the flavours you have used in these festive cookies,. yummy Jo xx
joskitchenlarder says
Thank Jenny!:) Yay, another one in a soft cookie camp! 🙂 To clarify, I will happily stuff my face with any cookies but soft ones are simply the best! lol 🙂
Jenny Paulin says
happy new year Jo! I am sorry for the late commenting, but thank you for linking these yummy cookies to #BakeoftheWeek x
joskitchenlarder says
Happy New Year to you too Jenny! 🙂 x
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
This look delicious! I am with you on the soft cookie front - I definitely prefer a lovely soft cookie. The flavours you have added are so festive.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Cat! I am never able to resist a soft bake cookie especially the one with a bit of seasonal flair 😉
Corina Blum says
These sound so tasty - chewy cookies are our favourite too! Chocolate and cranberries is a great combination and I love the idea of adding some chestnuts to avoid food waste. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Corina! I was really pleased with myself after adding chestnuts which make these cookies even more festive! 🙂