Olive Oil & Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Introduction

The Olive Oil & Cranberry Cookies, as featured on Love With Recipes, exemplify a harmonious blend of wholesome ingredients, refined to create a delightful treat that balances richness, tartness, and a hint of sweetness. Crafted with health-conscious ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and cranberries, these cookies provide a sophisticated flavor profile that elevates the traditional cookie experience. Whether you’re seeking a nutritious snack, a comforting dessert, or an elegant addition to your afternoon tea, this recipe delivers on all fronts. The use of natural ingredients ensures a product that’s not only indulgent but also nourishing, making it suitable for various dietary preferences and lifestyles. Perfectly suited for festive gatherings, casual tea parties, or a simple indulgence at home, these cookies are a testament to the versatility of simple pantry staples. At Love With Recipes, we believe in creating recipes that marry flavor with healthfulness, and this one does just that. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the process, and enjoy the journey of baking these exquisite cookies that promise to delight every palate.

Time

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Needed Equipment

• Oven (preferably convection or conventional)
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Whisk or fork for mixing
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
• Baking tray or cookie sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Cooling rack
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon for portioning
• Rolling pin (optional, if shaping dough with hands)

Tags

Vegetarian, Healthy, Dessert, Snack, Baking, Easy, Homemade, Cranberry, Olive Oil, Continental Cuisine

Serving Size

Each serving consists of one cookie, with the recipe yielding approximately 4 cookies.

Difficulty Level

Easy to Moderate — suitable for bakers with basic experience in mixing and baking cookies.

Allergen Information

• Contains gluten (wheat flour)
• Contains nuts (if cross-contamination occurs with equipment)
• Contains dairy (if milk used is cow’s milk)

Dietary Preference

Vegetarian. Can be adapted to vegan by substituting milk with plant-based alternatives.

Course

Dessert, Snack

Cuisine

Continental

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by setting your oven to 180°C (350°F). Allow it to preheat thoroughly for at least 10 minutes. Proper preheating ensures even heat distribution, which is essential for the cookies to bake uniformly. If your oven has a convection setting, utilize it to achieve a more consistent bake, especially if you’re baking multiple trays simultaneously. Ensure your oven racks are positioned in the middle to facilitate even baking and prevent the bottoms from burning or the tops from undercooking.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Vivatta Maida, whole wheat flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Using a whisk or a fork, thoroughly blend these ingredients together until uniform. This step is critical as it ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasonings, which directly impacts the texture and rise of the cookies. Sifting the dry ingredients can further improve the mixture’s uniformity and prevent clumping, especially if your flour has formed lumps. For best results, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into the bowl to create a fine, aerated mixture that will help produce tender cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the extra virgin olive oil to the dry mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon to distribute it evenly. The olive oil will lend a rich, fruity flavor and tender crumb to the cookies. Next, fold in the cranberries, ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. Cranberries add a tart, tangy contrast to the sweet cookie base and provide visual appeal. If using dried cranberries, consider chopping them into smaller pieces for more even distribution; if fresh cranberries are used, chop them into smaller chunks to prevent large bursts of tartness in one bite.

Step 4: Bind the Dough

Slowly pour in the milk, a little at a time, mixing gently after each addition. The goal is to achieve a soft, pliable dough that holds together without being sticky or crumbly. The amount of milk can vary slightly depending on the flour’s absorption capacity and humidity levels in your environment. The dough should be moist but manageable, allowing you to shape it into balls. If the dough feels too wet, add a small amount of flour; if too dry, incorporate a tiny splash of milk until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 5: Form the Cookies

Using your hands or a cookie scoop, portion the dough into small balls approximately the size of a walnut or golf ball. Gently flatten each ball into a disc, about ½ inch thick, to facilitate even baking and a pleasing appearance. For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop or measure out equal portions. Place the formed cookies onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Transfer the baking tray to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies; they should turn golden brown around the edges and feel firm to the touch when done. If your oven tends to heat unevenly, rotate the tray halfway through baking to ensure uniform coloring. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool for at least 10 minutes before handling to let the structure set fully and prevent breaking.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooled, serve these cookies with a hot beverage such as tea, masala chai, or hot chocolate, enhancing the flavors and creating a comforting experience. These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for later consumption if properly stored. The combination of olive oil’s richness and the tartness of cranberries offers a unique flavor profile that complements a variety of beverages and makes for an elegant dessert or snack.

Preparation Tips

• Always use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits. The fruity, slightly peppery notes will elevate the overall taste of the cookies.
• For a more intense cranberry flavor, consider soaking dried cranberries in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. Drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
• If you prefer sweeter cookies, increase the sugar slightly or drizzle honey over the baked cookies once cooled.
• For added texture, incorporate chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios into the dough.
• Adjust baking time for different oven types; convection ovens may bake faster, so keep an eye on the cookies to prevent overbaking.

Nutritional Information

Tips and Tricks

• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping can make handling easier and enhance the flavor development.
• Experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar for different flavor profiles.
• For a vegan version, substitute milk with almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, and ensure the cranberries are unsweetened.
• Add zest of lemon or orange to the dry ingredients for a citrusy brightness.
• Use a cookie press or piping bag to create decorative shapes if desired.

Add-ons

• Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios)
• Chocolate chips (dark, milk, or vegan)
• Sesame seeds or flaxseeds for added nutrition
• Coconut flakes for tropical flavor

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a variety of beverages and accompaniments, including:

• Hot beverages: tea, masala chai, hot chocolate, coffee
• Fresh fruit slices or fruit compote
• Yogurt or Greek yogurt for a creamy contrast
• Cheese platter for a savory balance

Improvements

• Incorporate spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to add warmth and depth.
• Use different dried fruits such as cherries, blueberries, or apricots to diversify flavors.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract to enhance aroma.
• Experiment with gluten-free flours such as almond flour or oat flour for a variation suitable for gluten sensitivities.

Save and Store

Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To revive frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or warm briefly in a low oven.

FAQ

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Yes, but fresh cranberries are more tart and contain more moisture. Chop them into small pieces and consider reducing the baking time slightly to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cookie texture. Alternatively, dry the fresh cranberries slightly in a low oven or dehydrator before adding to ensure they don’t make the dough too wet.

Is it possible to make these cookies vegan?

Absolutely. Replace milk with plant-based milk such as almond, soy, or oat milk. Ensure the cranberries are unsweetened and check that the sugar used is vegan-friendly. Olive oil remains suitable as a vegan fat source.

Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?

Yes, adding chocolate chips is an excellent way to enhance sweetness and add a rich dimension. Fold in ¼ to ½ cup of chocolate chips along with the cranberries before shaping the dough.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Cookies are ready when they turn a light golden brown around the edges and feel firm but not hard. They will also slightly firm up as they cool. Always monitor the first batch closely to determine the ideal baking time for your specific oven.

Conclusion

These Olive Oil & Cranberry Cookies epitomize a perfect marriage of healthful ingredients and indulgent flavors, making them an ideal choice for a wholesome dessert or snack. Their unique flavor profile, combining the fruity richness of extra virgin olive oil with the tartness of cranberries, offers a sophisticated taste experience that appeals to both health-conscious individuals and dessert lovers alike. The simplicity of the ingredients, combined with flexible add-ons and optional flavor enhancements, makes this recipe adaptable to a variety of preferences and dietary needs. Whether served as a delightful accompaniment to your afternoon tea or enjoyed as a standalone treat, these cookies will surely impress and satisfy. Remember, the key to successful baking lies in quality ingredients and gentle handling, so take your time to measure, mix, and bake with care. At Love With Recipes, we strive to bring you recipes that are not only delicious but also nourishing, ensuring every bite is a moment of joy and well-being.

References

1. “The Science of Baking Cookies,” Culinary Institute of America, 2022.
2. “Healthy Baking with Olive Oil,” Food & Nutrition Magazine, 2021.