How to Make Winter Warming Cranberry Walnut Cinnamon Cookies

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If you’re looking for the perfect Winter cookie – these cranberry walnut cinnamon cookies are exactly that! Just like my nutty cookies, they’re filled with warming spices that make you feel like you’re getting the biggest cuddly hug from a giant blanket of lovliness. No joke. And don’t even get me started on how good cinnamon cookies make your house smell when you’re baking them… my oh my! Read on for the recipe, tips and more…

Cinnamon cookies are a really easy way to spread joy this Christmas. Not only would they make a wonderful homemade gift, (just like these easy chocolate florentines!) they’d be perfect for any get together or party too! Christmas is all about spending time with family and friends and, having a batch of these beauties on hand to share with them, will make it all the more special.

Are cinnamon cookies easy to make?

This cinnamon cookies recipe is really simple to make. Just cream together the butter and sugar, mix in the rest of the ingredients and voila! All that’s left to do is shape and bake. Easy peasy. Your house will smell like Christmas in no time!

The perfect homemade gift

I think these cranberry walnut cinnamon cookies would make a lovely homemade gift for your loved ones. Looking for something a little more intricate? These lemon & ginger Christmas cookies go above and beyond but take a little more time to make. If it’s a dairy free / vegan option you’re looking for, this vegan easy gingerbread recipe makes the perfect homemade gift!

Tips for making cinnamon cookies

• Make sure you use a square of baking paper to separate the cookie balls and glass bottom when flattening them. This will ensure they don’t stick.
• Do cinnamon cookies spread when baking? No they don’t spread much at all so there’s no need to chill this dough before baking it.
• Can I make cinnamon cookeis vegan? Absolutely! Simply substitute the 200g of butter for 100g Trex (vegetable shortening) and 100g Flora Buttery for a vegan/dairy free option.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking tray. No they don’t spread lots but they do still spread a little, so allow room for this.
• Making for a homemade gift? I find metal tins keep these crunchier for longer.

 

Cranberry Walnut Cinnamon Cookies Recipe

Here is what you will need to make 20 – 24 cookies.

(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)

• 200g (7/8 Cup) Butter *
• 100g (1/2 Cup) Golden Caster Sugar
• 280g (2 + 1/4 Cups) Plain Flour
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 60g (1/2 Cup) Chopped Walnuts
• 50g (1/2 Cup) Cranberries #

 

*substitute butter for 100g Trex / 100g Flora Buttery for a dairy free/vegan option

#If the cranberries are particularly large, you may need to chop them into smaller pieces

Essential Equipment

• Large glass bowl
• Large baking tray

 

First, preheat your oven to 180°C/Fan 170°C and set a large baking tray to one side. 

Next, place the butter (200g | 7/8 Cup) and caster sugar (100g | 1/2 Cup) into a large mixing bowl and cream together using a spatula until it’s really light and fluffy.

Now sift in the flour (280g | 2 + 1/4 Cups) and cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp) and fold gently until it forms a dough and you can’t see any more flour in the bowl. Don’t overmix it here – only until it just forms a dough.

Time for the fillings! Add the walnuts (60g | 1/2 Cup) and cranberries (50g | 1/2 Cup) and give it a gentle but thorough mix through. You want them to be evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Now we need to shape our cinnamon cookies. Take heaped tablespoons of the dough and roll them into balls. They should be approx 1 1/2″ – 2″ in diameter.

Continue until all the dough has been used up then evenly space out the cinnamon cookie dough balls across the tray. Remember, don’t overcrowd the tray – allow a little room for spreading. You will likely need to cook in batches so place any spare cookie balls to the side until needed.

Take a small square of baking paper and place over a cookie dough ball, then flatten it gently but firmly with the bottom of a glass. (The baking paper will stop the dough from sticking.) Repeat this for all of them.

This last step is an optional extra but I like how rustic and homemade it makes them! Take a fork and mark a criss cross pattern into the top of each cinnamon cookie.

Now place the cookies into the oven and bake for 12 – 14 minutes. Just you wait… your kitchen is about to smell AMAZING!!

See – I told you! Smells great doesn’t it?! Allow your cinnamon cookies to sit on tray for a few minutes to harden, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Repeat for any remaining cookie balls you have then store in an airtight container (I prefer metal) and consume within 5-6 days.

Have you made this recipe? I want to know!

Will these beautiful cranberry walnut cinnamon cookies be made in your house? I’d love to know if they are! Send me your pics and comments on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram or email me at emma@kitchenmason.com.

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