Description
These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies offer a delightful blend of zesty orange and tart cranberries in a buttery, crumbly shortbread base. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat any time of year, they are easy to make with simple ingredients and come together quickly with a chilling step to perfect the texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (about 2 oranges)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy to create a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the vanilla extract and fresh orange zest, blending thoroughly to incorporate citrus aroma and sweetness.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Cranberries: Stir in the finely chopped dried cranberries evenly distributing them throughout the dough.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to slice into rounds.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Slice and Arrange Cookies: Slice the chilled dough logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden, ensuring a tender yet firm texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their delicate crumb.
Notes
- For an elegant finish, drizzle or dip the cooled cookies in white chocolate.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Cookies can be frozen for extended storage; thaw at room temperature before serving.
