Description
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and bursting with zesty orange flavor and sweet-tart dried cranberries. These slice-and-bake cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for holiday gifting or everyday snacking, offering a delightful balance of citrus and fruity sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (about 2 oranges)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Optional
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring an airy cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the pure vanilla extract and fresh orange zest to infuse the dough with aromatic citrus and vanilla notes.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the bowl, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold the finely chopped dried cranberries into the dough for bursts of tart sweetness throughout the cookies.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to slice cleanly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Slice and Optionally Sugar Coat: Slice the chilled dough logs into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Optionally, roll the edges of each cookie in granulated sugar for a sparkling, sweet finish. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked yet tender.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they do not break apart and achieve the ideal shortbread texture.
Notes
- These cookies freeze well—store the shaped dough logs in the freezer and slice and bake as needed for fresh cookies anytime.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate for a festive and elegant touch.
- Using fresh orange zest is essential for the brightest, most vibrant citrus flavor.
