INGREDIENTS:

COOKIES:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup dried cranberries (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

TO MAKE THE COOKIES:

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to fully incorporate the wet ingredients.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
5. Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries, if using.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cookie dough overnight or for up to 2 days.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 ° F (175 °C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Drop heaping tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies crisp up, rotating the baking sheets once during baking to ensure even cooking.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Here are a few variations you can try with this cookie recipe:

1. Triple Chocolate Cookies:
   • Add ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the white chocolate chips.
   • Use ¼ cup of cocoa powder instead of ½ cup for a slightly lighter chocolate flavor.
   • For an extra chocolate boost, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
2. Nutty Chocolate Cranberry Cookies:
   • Add ½ cup of chopped toasted nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts) along with the white chocolate chips and cranberries.
   • Use ½ teaspoon of almond extract and omit the vanilla extract for a stronger nutty flavor.
3. Orange Zest and Dark Chocolate Cookies:
   • Add the zest of one orange to the cookie dough for a citrusy twist.
   • Replace the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a rich contrast.
   • Consider adding a splash of orange extract for an even more intense orange flavor.
4. Coconut Cranberry Delight:
   • Mix in ½ cup of shredded sweetened coconut along with the white chocolate chips and cranberries.
   • Consider using ½ teaspoon of coconut extract for an extra coconut kick.
5. Spiced Chocolate Cranberry Cookies:
   • Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredients for a warm and spiced flavor profile.
   • You can also experiment with a small amount of ground ginger for added warmth.
6. M&M’s and Cranberry Cookies:
   • Replace the white chocolate chips with colorful M&M’s for a fun and festive touch.
   • The cranberries and M&M’s together create a nice balance of tart and sweet flavors.
7. Chocolate Cherry Bliss:
   • Swap the dried cranberries for dried cherries for a sweet-tart twist.
   • Add ½ cup of chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips for a richer chocolate experience.
8. Caramel Pecan Chocolate Delight:
   • Add ½ cup of caramel chips or chopped soft caramels along with the white chocolate chips.
   • Mix in ½ cup of chopped toasted pecans for a delightful nutty texture.
9. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cranberry Cookies:
   • Add ½ cup of creamy or crunchy peanut butter to the wet ingredients.
   • Use ½ cup of peanut butter chips instead of white chocolate chips.
   • Optionally, add a pinch of salt if using unsalted peanut butter.