Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft and chewy with tart cranberries, sweet orange and rich dark chocolate. They’re made with almond flour, almond butter and coconut oil, so they’re grain-free and dairy-free. They also make a great addition to your holiday cookie exchange!
I have a serious love for Cranberry + Chocolate + Orange.
While I enjoy gingerbread and peppermint for the holidays, cranberries, chocolate and orange have a special place in my holiday heart. The smell of the tart and sweet combo gets my taste buds tingling and reminds me of Christmas.
And when it’s in chocolate chip cookie form, even better. So, naturally, I love these holiday cookie bars I’m sharing today.
Why you’ll love these fresh cranberry chocolate chip cookies too
- They’re bars, which are much easier to make than drop cookies.
- They’re soft and chewy, just like a chocolate chip cookie.
- Lots of rich, dark, melty chocolate chips.
- A punch of festive flavour from the cranberries and orange.
- They’re gluten-free and dairy-free.
- You can make them now and freeze them for the holidays.
Ingredients for these cranberry cookie bars
- Cane sugar
- Almond butter
- Coconut oil
- Eggs
- Orange zest
- Vanilla
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Baking soda and salt
- Fresh cranberries
- Dark chocolate chips
How to make almond flour cranberry cookies
You’ll need a few bowls, a 9-inch baking pan (greased or lined with parchment paper) and an electric mixer. It might sound involved, but these cookies are super easy to make in a few simple steps.
- Add your sugar, almond butter and coconut oil to a large bowl and cream together using your electric mixer.
- Beat in the eggs (one at a time), orange zest and vanilla. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the almond and coconut flours, baking soda and salt. Add to the wet mixture and mix on medium speed until well combined.
- Fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips.
- Spread the cookie dough out into your prepared pan and bake on 375F for 23-26 minutes, or until the edges pull away and the top is brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How do I store these cookies made with almond flour? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Can I freeze these almond flour cookies? Yes, just let them cool fully, then cut into squares and place them in a freezer safe container, either in a single layer or in between sheets of wax or parchment paper. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, just leave at room temperature for a few hours.
- Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries? Absolutely!
- Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, but I would defrost them first and pat them dry. Be careful mixing them into the batter as they may be a bit soft.
- Can I use butter instead of coconut oil? Unfortunately, I haven’t tested this recipe with butter but if you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out.
- Can I use another type of sugar other than cane sugar? Coconut sugar or brown sugar will work as replacements, but the bars will be darker and have a hint of caramel.
- I don’t have almond butter, what can I use as a replacement? Any kind of natural nut or seed butter should work as a replacement, however they will change the taste of the cookies.
Additional recipe tips and suggestions
- Your coconut oil should be very soft, but not melted. You want it to cream together with the sugar and almond butter easily.
- Ensure your cold ingredients (such as eggs, almond flour, almond butter) are brought to room temperature. If they are still cold, they may cause the coconut oil to harden.
- I sprinkled some turbinado sugar on the cookies before baking, but that’s completely optional. You can also use flaked sea salt.
- If you like your cookies on the softer side, you’ll want to bake them for around 23-24 minutes. If you like your cookies firmer, bake them for 25-26 minutes. They will also firm up in the pan as they cool.
- This recipe calls for a 9-inch square pan, but you can also use an 8-inch square pan for a thicker cookie. Just increase the baking time by a few minutes.
- To cut the cookies out easily, I suggest lining your baking pan with parchment paper. Once baked, let the cookies cool completely and use the edges of the parchment paper to lift them out of the pan and onto your cutting surface.
Other cranberry orange treats with chocolate to enjoy
- Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins are perfect for busy holiday mornings. They’re made with whole wheat flour, oats, orange, fresh cranberries and dark chocolate chunks.
- Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies are great for a Christmas cookie exchange, with orange cranberry filling and dark chocolate drizzle. They’re also grain-free and dairy-free.
- You can also find other delicious cranberry combinations over on my Cranberry page.
If you make these cranberry chocolate chip cookies, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft and chewy with tart cranberries, sweet orange and rich dark chocolate. They’re made with almond flour, almond butter and coconut oil, so they’re grain-free and dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup natural almond butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, softened (but not melted)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (about half an orange)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups almond flour, room temperature
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375F and line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, almond butter and coconut oil using an electric mixer.
- Beat in one egg at a time, orange zest and vanilla. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the almond and coconut flours, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, and mix on medium-speed until combined.
- Fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips.
- Spread the dough out into the prepared pan and bake for 23-26 minutes, or until the edges pull away and the top is brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool in pan before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Your coconut oil should be very soft, but not melted. You want it to cream together with the sugar and almond butter easily.
- Ensure your cold ingredients are brought to room temperature. If they are still cold, they may cause the coconut oil to harden.
- If you like your cookies on the softer side, bake for 23-24 minutes. If you like your cookies firmer, bake for 25-26 minutes. They will also firm up in the pan as they cool.
- You can also use an 8-inch square pan for a thicker cookie. Just increase the baking time by a few minutes.
- Be sure to check out the detailed sections above the recipe card for additional advice and suggestions for making this recipe.
Keywords: fresh cranberry chocolate chip cookies, cranberry cookie bars, almond flour cranberry cookies
Ooooo…these look so good! Could totally get into a piece with a hot cuppa tea!
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Thanks Lisa! Cookies and tea sounds good to me!
These would be gone in the blink of an eye in my house. Cranberries are amazing with chocolate, and I love baking with almond flour. Thanks for a great recipe!
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Thank you Colleen!
You know how much I love those flavours! I’m always overjoyed when cranberries are in season! And the fact that I can make these ahead and freeze is another bonus!
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I do know your love for those flavours! Thanks Elaine. Happy cranberry season!
Leanne, these bars look wonderful! Cranberry, chocolate, and orange make a great combination. So awesome you made them grain free and dairy free so that everyone can enjoy them!
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Thanks Kelly! It is a great combo!
I LOVE cranberries and they’re so good paired with chocolate. You know I’ll be trying these soon! Have a great week ahead, Leanne!
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Hope you like them! Thanks Kelsie!
I have used fresh cranberries in savory recipes, but yet to try them in cookie bars. These cookie bars look great and love the flavor of chocolate with cranberries. Great recipe with gluten free flour.
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Definitely worth a try Sandhya!
I love the combo of cranberry and orange….and when you add chocolate, BOOM! flavor explosion! So delicious, my friend! I love how these are gluten and dairy free so such a welcome add to the holiday cookie exchanges for those who may be sensitive to certain ingredients. Great recipe!
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Thanks so much Haylie!
You kinda had my full attention at cranberry. We love whole cranberries baked into squares, cakes, cookies, and muffins, and these bars were no exception! Delicious! I just wish I could slice bars and squares as neatly as you do. Mine are always crooked. LOL
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Haha! Thanks Byron! My squares are usually crooked and jagged. This was a lucky day! 😉
These look heavenly, Leanne! I bought several pounds cranberries for drying but a few will be reserved for these delicious looking bars!
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Thanks Cyna! Be sure to let me know what you think if you make them!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I love all the Christmas flavours, but cranberries (And the combo of cranberries and orange) has a special place in my heart; cozy and inspiring winter flavour! I’ve mostly baked with dried cranberries before, but I’ll need to try fresh berries this time. Wonderful recipe!
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Glad you’re with me on the cranberry and orange combo! Thanks Ben! Hope you get to bake more with fresh cranberries this season!
I also adore the cranberry and orange combination! I bet the addition of chocolate just takes them over the top! I also love that these are bar cookies. Pinning!!
Thanks so much Tasia!
Cranberry, chocolate and orange is such a delicious combination – perfect for the holiday season. Cookie bars look moist and absolutely delicious.
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Thank you!
I also love cranberry and orange during this time of year. I am always tempted to put cranberries in everything from November to January, ha! These bars sound fantastic, Leanne. I always love your healthier treats. My family would gobble these up in no time!
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Thanks Katherine! I’m with you. I could bake with cranberries all the time right now!
That’s one of my fave combos too! Love to have some of these on hand right about now! So excited to be talking about the holidays, but I have so much stuff to do! I guess that’s all part of it! Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead, Leanne 🙂
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Thanks Dawn! Hope you had a great weekend!
Cranberry and chocolate is such a delicious combination. A lovely, festive treat!
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Thank you!
I’m right with you on the cranberry orange combination and I love the addition of chocolate, too! You can never go wrong with chocolate 🙂 These look delicious and a great way to use up some of my freezer full of cranberries!
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Definitely a great way to use up some frozen cranberries! Thanks Jennifer!
These look so good! Perfect for a Xmas cookie exchange. Cranberries always remind me of the holidays as well 🙂
Love that they are grain free as well.
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Thanks Terry! Cranberries are just so perfect for the holidays!
Oh, don’t these look yummy Leanne! I love when cranberries start to pop up at the local markets! Love that tart taste. Will need to add these to my baking list!
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Thanks Mary Ann!