The Recipe: No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies

Looking for a cookie that’s bursting with flavor but doesn’t require turning on the oven? Say hello to these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies—a delightful mix of tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a rich, caramel-like praline coating that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy. These cookies are perfect for when you need a quick and impressive treat that looks as gorgeous as it tastes. The best part? No baking required! Whip these up in no time and enjoy them as a sweet snack or gift-worthy treat for the holidays or any occasion.

Why You’ll Love No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies

• No-Bake Convenience: Perfect for busy days when you want a sweet treat but don’t want to heat up the kitchen. These cookies come together in a flash and are ready to eat in no time.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tangy cranberries balance beautifully with the rich, nutty pecans, and the praline coating adds the most irresistible caramel flavor. It’s a combo that’s hard to beat!
• Quick and Easy: With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a batch of these delicious cookies ready in under 30 minutes. They’re perfect for last-minute dessert cravings or unexpected guests.
• Customizable: Feel free to swap out cranberries for raisins or other dried fruits, or experiment with different nuts like almonds or walnuts to suit your taste.
• Impressive and Gift-Worthy: These cookies look as beautiful as they taste, making them an excellent choice for holiday gifting or when you want to show off your baking skills without much effort.

Ingredients

Here’s the magic behind these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies—the ingredients are simple but come together in a way that makes each bite a little piece of heaven. Let’s dive into what you’ll need:

Cranberries

Dried cranberries add a perfect pop of tartness to these cookies. Their chewiness balances the crunch of the pecans and the sweetness of the praline coating.

Pecans

Chopped pecans add a buttery richness and a delightful crunch. Their nutty flavor makes them the ideal pairing with the sweetness of the praline.

Butter

Butter is key in the praline coating, giving it that rich, caramelized flavor and smooth texture. It helps the sugar and cream come together beautifully to coat the cranberries and pecans.

Brown Sugar

The brown sugar brings a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the cookies and adds to the praline’s caramel notes.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is essential for making the praline coating silky smooth and giving it that creamy, indulgent texture.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla adds a warm, comforting flavor that ties the whole cookie together and enhances the other ingredients.

Salt

A pinch of salt is the secret ingredient that balances the sweetness and brings out the natural flavors in the cranberries and pecans.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Making these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies is so simple—it’s almost like magic. Let’s get started:

Make the Praline Coating

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Stir constantly as the mixture comes to a boil. Let it cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until it thickens and becomes a smooth caramel-like sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Pour the warm praline mixture over the cranberries and pecans, stirring gently to coat them evenly with the sweet caramel sauce.

Form the Cookies

Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape them into small mounds or cookies, whatever size you prefer. Don’t worry about making them perfect—these cookies are meant to be rustic and charming!

Let Them Set

Allow the cookies to cool at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes, or until the praline coating has firmed up. You can also speed up the process by placing them in the fridge for 10 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy

Once they’ve set, enjoy these chewy, nutty, and decadent cookies! Serve them as a quick treat or gift them to friends and family—they’ll be a hit either way.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 200 kcal
Sugar: 23g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 10g

• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
  Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
  Protein: 3g
  Cholesterol: 10mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes

How to Serve No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies

These cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few fun ideas for serving and enjoying them:

• With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: Pair these cookies with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a cozy, comforting treat. The flavors of the cookies are perfect for sipping alongside your favorite warm drink.
• As a Gift: Pack a batch of these cookies into a cute jar or tin and give them as a homemade gift for the holidays or birthdays. The praline-coated cranberries and pecans make them look extra fancy!
• With Ice Cream: Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for a decadent dessert that will impress anyone at your table.
• On a Cookie Platter: Include these cookies on a holiday or party cookie platter. Their chewy texture and nutty sweetness will be a big hit.

Additional Tips

• Make Them Ahead: These cookies can be made a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
• Switch Up the Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can swap them for walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios for a different twist.
• Try Different Dried Fruits: If you want to switch up the flavor, swap out the dried cranberries for dried cherries, apricots, or raisins.
• Keep Them Cool: If you live in a warm climate, keep these cookies stored in the fridge so they stay firm and don’t get too sticky.
• Double the Batch: These cookies are so easy to make, you might want to double the recipe so you can have more to share or stash in your freezer for later.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different type of nut?
A1: Absolutely! You can swap the pecans for walnuts, almonds, or even cashews. The key is to keep the nuts crunchy for texture.

Q2: Can I make these cookies without the heavy cream?
A2: The heavy cream is essential for the praline coating, but you can use coconut cream or a non-dairy option for a lighter alternative.

Q3: Can I freeze these cookies?
A3: Yes! These cookies freeze really well. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container and they should last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Q4: How long will these cookies last?
A4: These cookies will last for about a week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also refrigerate them to extend their freshness.

Q5: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A5: Dried cranberries work best because they hold up better when coated in the praline mixture. Fresh cranberries could be too juicy and might affect the texture.

Q6: Can I add chocolate chips to the cookies?
A6: Absolutely! Adding some semi-sweet chocolate chips to the mixture will bring a rich chocolatey flavor that complements the cranberries and pecans.

Q7: How do I prevent the praline coating from being too sticky?
A7: Make sure the praline mixture is cooked to the right consistency—about 2 minutes of boiling should give you the right thickness. If it’s too runny, it might stay sticky.

Q8: Can I make these cookies without the vanilla extract?
A8: Yes, you can skip the vanilla extract, but it does add a lovely warmth to the flavor. You could also try almond extract for a different twist.

Q9: Can I add other dried fruits?
A9: Definitely! Dried cherries, raisins, or even dried apricots would all work wonderfully in these cookies. Feel free to get creative!

Q10: How do I store leftovers?
A10: Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate them to keep them fresher for longer.

Conclusion

These No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies are everything you need in a cookie—simple, sweet, and oh-so-delicious. With their chewy cranberries, crunchy pecans, and caramelized praline coating, they’re sure to become a favorite. Whether you’re whipping them up for a holiday treat, a gift, or just a sweet snack, these cookies will satisfy your cravings and leave everyone wanting more. Enjoy!

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