The traditional oatmeal cookie gets a festive makeover with these Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies!
I decided to give my favorite oatmeal cookie a festive makeover for the holiday season. Are you as excited as I am?! The original oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is one of my all-time favorites, but I like to take that recipe and change it up with different combinations of ingredients. It’s super easy to modify and customize with your favorite nuts, chocolate, dried fruits, or a mix of all of them.
I’m not a huge fan of dried fruits – especially the dreaded raisin, so you’ll likely never see one of those in a recipe over here. Cranberries are different. They have a unique and yummy flavor, and I can get past the texture. Raisins? Not so much. You could totally make these with raisins instead though, if they’re your kinda thing.
I wanted a seasonal fruit and nut combo with these cookies, so decided to go with pecans, which I love. In hindsight, I probably should have added more of them, as the nuts got a bit lost in the oatmeal/cinnamon/cranberry flavor, so you may want to increase the amount of nuts in the recipe or toast them beforehand.
If you like thick, chewy, delicious oatmeal cookies, then this recipe is for you! If you prefer your cookies to be less puffy, just press down on the tops a bit before putting them into the oven.
These Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies will be my last holiday themed cookie for the year. Sad times, right? Fear not, as there are a few more holiday recipes on the way, and plenty of cookies on my radar for the new year!
Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon ground
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on med-high until pale and fluffy (approx. 3 minutes).
- Add egg and beat on high for 1 minute. Add vanilla.
- Turn mixer to low and add flour mixture, mix until combined.
- Add oats, cranberries, and pecans. Mix until just combined.
- Chill dough in the fridge for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.
- Using a small cookie scoop, place cookies on baking sheet 2″ apart. I did 11 cookies per sheet. Press cookies down slightly if desired (I didn’t).
- Bake for 10mins or until edges are lightly browned but center is still soft and unset.
- Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Joanna says
Made these cookies yesterday, and already making more today! My new favorite cookie recipe!
Olivia says
So happy to hear that!
Pat Givan says
Do you have to do ANY adjustments to the recipe for HIGH ALTITUDE?
Olivia says
Hi Pat! High altitude usually requires some adjustments. I can’t say for sure though as it depends on how high up you are. It might take some experimentation on your part. I’ve never baked in high altitude, but here are some tips: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/high-altitude-baking.html
Here are some general guidelines if you’re at 3000ft:
• Increase the oven temperature by 15-25F • Decrease baking time by 5-10mins. • Decrease sugar by 1 Tbsp per cup • Decrease baking powder by 1/8 tsp per cup • Increase liquid by 1-2 Tbsp per cup • Add 1 Tbsp of flour
If you’re higher up than 3000ft, you will need to increase/decrease the ingredients incrementally. Again, it will require some experimentation. There are some great resources for high altitude baking out there.
Caroline says
The cookies are so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I’m on my second batch, everyone ate up the 1st batch so fast.
Olivia says
So glad you liked these, Caroline!
Belinda says
I have a question. Is it necessary to put in the fridge for an hour, or can you bake them right away?
Olivia says
Hi Belinda! You can bake them right away. I like to chill them as it helps the flavours to meld but also makes them not spread as much.
Dee says
I have a question, I wanted to prepare the cookie dough a few days ahead. Will these do ok?
Olivia says
Hi Dee! For sure. You can keep the dough in the fridge or even freeze it for longer.
larry peters says
sounds like a good cookie. I have oatmeal for breakfast.
Olivia says
Hi Larry! These cookies are delicious, I hope you try them!
Alli says
DEEEEEEEElicious!! These cookies are now a staple in the home! My family is hooked! No tweaking necessary.
Olivia says
So happy you loved these, Alli!
Azabala says
Excellent oatmeal cookie recipe – my family loved them. Will be making these again for sure
Olivia says
Thank you Azabala!
Anne says
My family loves these cookies! often leave out nuts due to allergies and still yummy
Olivia says
Hi Anne! I’m so happy everyone loves these 🙂
Celia says
Can this recipe be baked as bars instead of cookies? I’m a lazy baker that likes to get to the end result as quickly as possible 😉
Olivia says
Hi Celia! For sure, that should work no problem. I’m not sure how long the baking time would be though!
Ys says
Best recipe ever! I was a little naughty and added a handful of white chocolate chips as well. Delicious !
Olivia says
Hi Ys! So happy you liked it 🙂 I love the addition of the white choc chips!
Robyn says
Love this recipe. My favorite oatmeal cookies!
Olivia says
Thanks so much Robyn! I’m so happy you like them 🙂
Debbie says
Can you freeze these cookies?
Olivia says
Hi Debbie! You bet. The freeze really well. Just toss them into a freezer bag and you’re set.
Sharon says
A perfect recipe for a perfect cookie.
Olivia says
So happy you loved them Sharon!