Winter Spice Cranberry Swirl (Print Version)
Soft buttery cookies with warming spices and a vibrant cranberry swirl, perfect for cozy holiday moments.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Cranberry Swirl
01 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - 2 tablespoons powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
03 - 1 tablespoon water
04 - 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
→ Cookie Dough
05 - 2 cups almond flour
06 - 1/4 cup coconut flour
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 1/2 cup powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
13 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Combine cranberries, sweetener, water, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Mash or blend until smooth. Cool completely.
02 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter with sweetener until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking powder.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Chill dough for 15 minutes if too soft to handle.
05 - Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - Roll dough between two parchment sheets to 1/4 inch thickness. Spread cooled cranberry mixture evenly over dough surface.
07 - Using parchment paper, carefully roll dough into a log. Chill the log for 10 minutes to firm up.
08 - Cut log into 1/2-inch rounds and arrange on prepared baking sheet.
09 - Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack until completely cooled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're soft and buttery in a way that makes you forget they're keto and gluten-free, which is the secret dream of every health-conscious baker.
- The tart cranberry swirl creates this beautiful contrast with warm winter spices, making each bite feel like a cozy hug from the inside out.
- You can make a full batch in under an hour, and they keep beautifully for days, making them perfect for last-minute holiday gifts or stealing throughout the week.
02 -
- Room temperature butter is non-negotiable. I learned this on my second attempt when I got impatient and used cold butter straight from the fridge. The dough never creamed properly, and the cookies came out dense and cakey. Now I set my butter out 30 minutes before I start.
- The cranberry swirl must be completely cooled before you spread it on the dough. I made this mistake once and the warm berry mixture melted the butter, causing the dough to separate. Now I spread the swirl and then chill the assembled dough, which solves everything.
- Don't skip the rest period between assembly and baking. Those 10 minutes of chilling make the difference between cookies that slice cleanly and ones that squish and lose their cranberry ribbons.
03 -
- If your dough is crumbly when you mix it, add water one teaspoon at a time until it comes together—almond flour varies in moisture depending on how it was processed, so sometimes you need a touch more liquid.
- Use fresh spices for the most vibrant flavor. Winter spices lose their potency over time, so if your cinnamon has been in the cabinet for years, upgrade. The difference is remarkable.