Pomegranate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these cookies for a cookie exchange with women from church. I thought they were festive and unique. These cookies are quite delightful - the tart pomegranate arils complement the sweet white chocolate. The pomegranate arils lose most of their crunch while baking.

It turns out there were a few awards at the cookie exchange, based on appearance only. I was awarded most creative!

If you are unfamiliar with how to work with a fresh pomegranate, check out this tutorial. This method saves many arils from being cut open and juice spilling everywhere.

Pomegranate White Chocolate Chip Cookies
from Two Peas and Their Pod

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup old fashioned or quick oats
1 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
1 cup pomegranate arils

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just incorporated.

4. Stir in the oats and white chocolate chunks. Make dough balls-about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Tuck about 6-8 pomegranate arils in each cookie dough ball. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies.