Cookie of the Month: November 2025

This Walnut Cranberry Cookie combines the nutty crunch of toasted walnuts with the tart sweetness of dried cranberries. Soft and buttery with a hint of brown sugar and vanilla, it’s a perfect balance of rich, chewy, and slightly tangy flavors in every bite.

Walnut Cranberry Cookie

Patrick Budniewski, Executive Chef at Holston Hills Country Club

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white sugar                                          

• ¾ cup, packed light brown sugar                                                      

• ½ cup butter, softened                                               

• ¼ cup milk                                                                              

• 2 tablespoons orange juice                                                   

• 1 egg, whole                                                              

• 3 cups all-purpose flour                                             

• 1 teaspoon baking powder                            

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon                                                           

• ½ teaspoon salt                                                                                 

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda                                                                   

• 2 ½ cups dried cranberries                                                    

• 1 cup walnuts, chopped                                                         

• ¼ cup (for dusting or as needed) confectioners’ sugar                                                        

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugars and butter.

3. Once creamed and smooth, add in milk, OJ, and egg into the creamed mixture and mix on medium speed using the paddle attachment.

4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.

5. Slowly add dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed.

6. Continue to mix on low until combined.

7. Gently fold in cranberries and walnuts.

8. Drop the dough into bite-sized balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

9. Bake in the oven for 10-15 min or until edges are slightly golden brown.

10. Remove cookies and let cool completely, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and serve.