If you love buttery, nutty treats with a pop of juicy fruit, you’re about to fall for these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies. Each bite delivers sweet praline flavor, gently toasted pecans, soft oats, and bursts of tangy cranberry, all without turning on your oven! These cookies come together in minutes and set up into dainty treats perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking straight from the fridge. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total newbie, this recipe brings cozy southern charm and holiday festivity to your kitchen year-round.

No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies lies in their simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, each one playing a key role in flavor and texture, you get a cookie that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need for your new favorite treat!

Sugar: The sweet base that caramelizes into praline goodness.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture and lets you control the saltiness.
Heavy Cream: Creates that classic praline sauce and makes each bite decadently smooth.
Vanilla Extract: A splash highlights the sweetness and brings in cozy, aromatic notes.
Pecans, chopped: For buttery crunch and an unmistakable southern note—toast them for extra depth!
Dried Cranberries: Pops of tartness and chewy texture brighten every bite.
Rolled Oats: Adds heartiness, holding the cookies together while staying delightfully chewy.
Salt: Just a dash to balance the sweetness and amplify the nutty flavors.

How to Make No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by roughly chopping the pecans and measuring out your cranberries and oats. Having everything ready to go makes the process extra quick and keeps your praline mixture from setting before you’re ready.

Step 2: Make the Praline Base

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream. Set the pan over medium heat, and stir frequently as the butter melts. This is how the praline magic begins!

Step 3: Bubble to Perfection

Once melted, keep stirring as the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it bubble away for 2 to 3 minutes. It’ll thicken just a bit and turn the lightest shade of caramel—watch for that subtle color change, it means praline flavor is brewing!

Step 4: Stir in Flavor

Quickly take the pan off the heat. Stir in your vanilla extract and salt; don’t skip this step—these bring out all those deep, buttery notes and balance the sweetness.

Step 5: Fold in the Goodies

Add your chopped pecans and dried cranberries straight into the warm praline mixture. Give it all a good stir so the nuts and berries glisten with caramel loveliness.

Step 6: Add the Oats

Now fold in the rolled oats. Keep mixing until everything is evenly coated and you see flecks of cranberry and pecan in every spoonful. The mixture should feel thick and a bit sticky.

Step 7: Scoop and Set

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop generous mounds onto the parchment, leaving room for some slight spreading. You’ll get about 20 cookies!

Step 8: Let Them Set

Let the cookies cool at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes, or pop the tray into the fridge for even quicker results. Once they’re firm, your No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies are ready for tasting!

How to Serve No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies

Garnishes

Dress up your cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or an extra sprinkle of chopped pecans on top before they set. These little touches make your No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies feel bakery-worthy.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or rich coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. For bigger gatherings, pair them with a simple cheese platter or a bowl of fresh fruit to balance their sweet richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try packing a stack into cellophane bags and tying with ribbon as holiday gifts, or arrange them on a cake stand for a stunning brunch centerpiece. For parties, sandwich a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies for a playful ice cream sandwich twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They stay soft and chewy, and the flavors just get better after a day!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just let them come to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

No reheating is needed, but if you prefer a slightly softer texture, try letting them sit out at room temperature for a few minutes after being in the fridge or freezer. They’ll become just the right amount of fudgy and chewy.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Quick oats can work in a pinch, but rolled oats give the best chewy texture. If using quick oats, the cookies will be a bit softer and less rustic, but still absolutely delicious!

Can I swap the pecans for another nut?

Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of nuts work well in this recipe. Each brings a unique flavor, but pecans create that classic praline taste.

Are these cookies gluten free?

If you use certified gluten-free oats, these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies are naturally gluten free. Just double-check all your ingredient labels to be safe.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. The results will still be rich and satisfying.

How do I stop the cookies from spreading too much?

If your cookies seem a bit loose, let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes before scooping. Chilling the whole tray in the fridge right after scooping can also help them set up thicker.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies—they’re simple, flavorful, and bound to win over anyone who tries them. Whether you’re in a rush, don’t want to heat up the kitchen, or just need a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies will never disappoint. Save a few for yourself, because they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!

No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 14 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies are a delightful blend of sweet, nutty, and fruity flavors in every bite. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

Praline Mixture:

1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
1/4 cup Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Pecans, chopped

Cranberry Pecan Cookies:

1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
2 cups Rolled Oats
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

Prep your ingredients: Roughly chop the pecans and measure out the cranberries and oats.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream.
Place over medium heat and stir frequently as the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Continue to stir and let the mixture bubble for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and turns a light caramel color.
Remove from heat immediately and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
Add your chopped pecans and dried cranberries, stirring well to combine.
Fold in the rolled oats until everything is evenly coated with the praline mixture.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop mounds of the mixture onto the parchment, spacing them about an inch apart.
Let the cookies cool completely at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes, or pop the sheet in the fridge to speed things up.
Once set, enjoy your cookies! Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
You can customize these cookies by adding different nuts or dried fruits.
These cookies make a great gift for friends and family.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: No-Bake, Cranberry Pecan, Praline Cookies, Easy Dessert