There are certain Christmas cookies you make every single year simply because they feel like tradition… and then there are the special ones that come along and quietly steal the spotlight. These White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies belong to that second category — the kind of recipe that turns into a seasonal ritual because everyone who tries them asks, “Are you making those again this year?”
There’s something irresistibly comforting about them. Maybe it’s the way the powdered sugar settles into delicate snowy cracks. Maybe it’s the tart sparkle of cranberry against the creamy sweetness of white chocolate. Or maybe it’s the velvet-soft texture that comes from adding cream cheese to the dough — a trick that feels almost too simple for how magical it tastes.
Whatever the reason, these cookies capture everything we love about December baking: warmth, coziness, and that quiet moment in the kitchen where the world slows down just long enough for something sweet to come out of the oven.
These White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies have that snowy, melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves during the holidays.
If you love creamy holiday bakes, you might also enjoy the cozy comfort of our Creamy Christmas Chicken Rice Bake with Corn & Cheddar.
✨ Why These Cookies Feel Like Christmas in Dessert Form
Some holiday recipes shout for attention with layers, glazes, and elaborate decoration. Crinkle cookies whisper — soft, snowy, understated — and somehow end up being the first dessert to disappear from the table.
The cream cheese keeps them unbelievably tender, giving them that melt-in-your-mouth center. The white chocolate adds creamy pockets of sweetness. And the cranberries? They’re the little ruby sparks that make every bite taste like it belongs next to a glowing tree and a warm mug of something cozy.
For another festive treat with tart cranberries and creamy sweetness, try our Cranberry Cheesecake Cookie Squares.
🎄 Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies
Here is the complete ingredient list presented in a clean table with helpful notes:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butter, softened | ½ cup | Softened to room temperature for easy creaming |
| Cream cheese, softened | 4 oz | Adds richness and keeps cookies soft |
| Sugar | 1 cup | Granulated white sugar works best |
| Egg | 1 large | Helps bind and add moisture |
| Vanilla | 1 tbsp | Use pure vanilla for best flavor |
| All-purpose flour | 1¾ cups | Spoon and level for accuracy |
| Baking powder | ½ tsp | Helps the cookies rise slightly |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp | Balances acidity from cream cheese |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Enhances flavor |
| Dried cranberries, chopped | ½ cup | Chop smaller for even distribution |
| White chocolate chips | ½ cup | Adds creamy sweetness |
| Powdered sugar (for rolling) | ½ cup | Creates the snowy crinkle finish |
❄️ How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies
1. Cream the base
Beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until pale, fluffy, and smooth.
2. Add the egg and vanilla
Mix until everything smells warm and holiday-sweet.
3. Mix in the dry ingredients
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
4. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips
Little red flecks and creamy white bits make the dough instantly festive.
5. Roll in powdered sugar
Be generous — this creates the snowy cracks.
6. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until puffed and crinkled but still soft in the center.
7. Cool and enjoy
Let them settle before moving; the centers turn creamy and tender as they cool.
🎁 A Cookie for Every Holiday Moment
Some recipes belong at the big family dinner. Some are meant for gifting. Others are for quiet evenings in fuzzy socks watching holiday movies.
These cookies do all of it effortlessly.
Stack them on a dessert tray, pack them in a festive tin, or enjoy them with hot cocoa while wrapping gifts.
🌟 Texture Notes
Here’s what to expect:
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Snowy, lightly crisp exterior
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Soft, tender cream-cheese center
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Tart pops of cranberry
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Creamy white chocolate throughout
These festive cranberry and white chocolate cream cheese cookies stay soft for days and bring that cozy Christmas flavor to every bite.
🎉 Variations You Can Try
-
Add orange zest for citrus brightness
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Use half cranberries, half dried cherries
-
Use white chocolate chunks instead of chips
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Sprinkle cinnamon sugar before baking
If you already enjoy soft holiday desserts, these White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies fit perfectly into any festive baking rotation.
If you enjoy soft, snowy holiday desserts, you’ll also love our White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Crinkle Bars.
🎅 How to Store Them
Because of the cream cheese, these cookies stay soft longer than most:
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Store airtight for 4–5 days
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Add a slice of bread for extra softness
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Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months
Frozen dough balls bake beautifully — just roll in powdered sugar before baking.
❓ FAQs
Why do crinkle cookies crack?
The hot oven hits the soft dough and forces the tops to expand, creating snowy cracks.
Why didn’t my crinkle cookies spread?
The dough may have been too cold. Let it warm slightly before baking.
Do I need to soak dried cranberries?
No — the dough keeps them soft. If they are very dry, soak 5 minutes in warm water.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
Fresh cranberries add too much moisture and can affect the crinkle texture.
How do I keep them soft?
Store airtight with a slice of bread or a marshmallow.