In my former life as a runner (a foot injury and subsequent pregnancy has sidelined me for a while) I was addicted to any type of snack bar, health cookie and trail mix product on the market. Of course I always stayed away from anything with nuts in it, but I still had my own personal stash of non allergy friendly treats stored high up in the cupboards. Over time, my four kids would hear me open a cabinet door post run and come flying into the kitchen demanding to see what forbidden snack I was eating. This got me thinking…maybe if I made a “health cookie” that I could happily eat post run AND give to my kids as an after school treat, then they might stop bugging me about my hidden stash high up in the cupboard.
And so the Dairy, Egg and Nut Free Cranberry Chocolate Drop Cookie was born. These cookies are not only wonderful as after school or lunchbox treats, but they are fabulous to mail to loved ones over the holidays. I sent a batch to my sister and her family in Kentucky last Christmas and the cookies held up really well, maintaining their chewy texture after the long trip in the mail. They are also a perfect cookie to give as gifts, because they are colorful, sweet and downright delicious.
In the fall I will use fresh cranberries when the are in season. But for the rest of the year, I will use frozen cranberries that have been quickly defrosted under warm running water. I’ve also done dried cranberries with this recipe, but really prefer the texture and flavor of fresh (or defrosted) cranberries. The berries truly pop in your mouth along with the little bits of dairy free chocolate chips throughout the chewy cookie. I guarantee your family will love this cookie…and you won’t have to hide it high in the cupboards! Enjoy!
Cranberry–Chocolate Drop Cookies
As a runner, I am drawn to power and granola bars. These remind me of my favorite nutrition bar, which is packed with little bits of dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate and fresh cranberries. If cranberries aren’t in season, use frozen cranberries that have been quickly defrosted under warm running water.
Yield: 2 dozen cookies
1/2 cup dairy-free margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup soy or rice milk
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
31/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
21/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine margarine and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add soy milk, orange juice, zest, and applesauce, and mix thoroughly.
In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda using a wire whisk. Add to margarine mixture, and blend well. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped cranberries.
Preheat oven to 375ºF, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a cookie scooper to place batter onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely on baking sheets.
These sound great!
Once again, you are really making me crave dessert!
I just discovered your website and I am so happy to see these recipes. I have three sons, and the middle one, age 8, is allergic to eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. He has never had a donut in his entire life and we are going to make some tomorrow using your recipe. Thank you so much.
Made the donuts today. Brought tears to my eyes to see my eight year old son eat his first ever donut. Even better, his two brothers enthusiastically ate them as well, proclaiming they were better than regular donuts. A happy day. Thank you.
Thanks so much Linda for writing about your son eating his first donut…take a picture next time and email to me! I remember the day my own son ate his first donut and I cried too. It was very emotional to see him enjoy something that I NEVER thought he would have in his life. Something so simple yet it means so much! You made my day!!
You think dried cranberries might work in these? I have them on hand and just wondered?…
These look so good but after scouring my grocery store there’s not a fresh cranberry to be found yet – I will have to put them in my “fall baking” file! Thanks – can’t wait to try them!
Hi Carla, Did you try your freezer section for frozen berries? I just picked up several bags at Whole Foods. If not, don’t despair! The fresh will be in stores very soon, or try it with dried.
Hi Lindsey! Yes, try it with dried if you have them on hand. The texture will be slightly different as whole berries, but the taste will be delicious!
I left the dried cranberries out. It had warning for traces of nuts. My son helped me make these cookies today and when my daughter woke up from her nap she had her very first taste of something chocolate and sweet:) I had a tear in my eye as my husband and I watched her enjoying her first chocolate chip cookie. Something so small felt so big. I put some of the dough in the freezer for later. THanks sooo much for the receipes Kelly.
Yum!!! Linsey, definitely try my chocolate chip cookies too…your daughter will LOVE them!!! I couldn’t agree with you more…small victories! Just had one today….
Just read about John. That is awesome. I’m glad he had so much fun and you had a wonderful day too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY John:) Thanks for sharing with us.
I will absolutely try the chocolate chip cookies:) I know she will love them
Once again I have to thank you for an amazingly yummy recipe! I had to adapt the ingredients, as with the scone recipe, because my younger son is allergic to wheat and I only had lemons to hand….I used a combo of buckwheat and fava/chickpea flour (sorry that your son can’t try this) plus 0.5 tsp of xanthan gum. And I only had carob powder, but that was delicious too (and it added a nice brown colour to the cookies). My elder 3 year old son is eating the first one now, fresh from the oven, and declared ‘delicious’. That’s high praise! The flour combo made the mixture very very sticky, so I added some extra apple sauce to the cookie batter. Can’t wait to try them on my youngest son Rory, who we’re needing to feed up. I’m so excited to have discovered your website. Thanks again for all your hard work!
Thanks so much Lindsey! I was so grateful it all turned out well!
Thank you so much for all these wonderful recipes that my son will be able to eat!
He is allergic to peanuts, treenuts, eggs, dairy and beef. And I can never find any recipes that he can have.
Your blog is such a blessing!
Thanks for your hard work!!
Hi Kelly! I don’t have a child w/ a food allergy but thought I might make one of your recipes for my daughter’s turn for snack in case someone in her class does. So this might be a silly question, but where can I find dairy- free items like the margarine and choc. chips? I noticed many of your recipes call for these items! Thanks so much and what a wonderful website you have here!
Finally had the time to make these and they are delicious! Trying the pancake recipe this weekend.
Jane
Thanks so much for your feedback Jane…I love them too, and they’re so pretty to look at…
These were great!! We put dried cherries in them!! Graet recipe!
These are such beautiful and yummy cookies! Glad you liked them Vickie!
Kelly – finally made these – first they really are beautiful (I chopped the cranberries in a mini food processor which made for easier chopping than by hand!)! They are so good and I even substitued clementine juice & zest b/c I didn’t have any oranges in my fridge! Unfortunately I can’t stop eating them and I’m trying to convince myself they are “healthy” due to the cranberries in them!
[...] From The Food Allergy Mama [...]
So, so good! My kids & I made them yesterday. I love the cranberry chocolate combination.