Rehydrating dried cranberries for cookies is optional. If you prefer softer cranberries in your cookies, soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes and then drain before adding them to the dough. If you like a chewier texture, you can add them directly without rehydrating. For your reference, when making these cranberry oatmeal cookies, I didn't rehydrate the dried cranberries. They were still so juicy, soft, and delicious!