Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, a perfect treat for any occasion. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a vibrant filling of zesty orange and chewy dried cranberries, these cookies are sure to impress. The refreshing citrus notes combined with the sweetness of cranberries create a festive flavor profile that’s ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons. Plus, the easy-to-follow recipe ensures that even novice bakers can achieve delicious results. Complete with a smooth orange glaze for an eye-catching finish, these cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or packaging them as thoughtful gifts, these shortbread cookies are certain to bring joy.

Ingredients

Scale

60 g caster sugar
Zest of 1 orange
125 g unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
180 g plain flour (all-purpose)
75 g dried cranberries (finely chopped)
120 g powdered icing sugar
30 ml orange juice
1 tsp unsalted butter (melted)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 170°C (335°F) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
Rub sugar and orange zest together until fragrant.
In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and orange sugar mixture until light and fluffy; add vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in flour and chopped cranberries until combined.
Shape dough into a disc, roll out to about ½ cm thick, and cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
Chill cut cookies for at least 30 minutes before baking for optimal shape retention.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden; cool on racks.
Prepare glaze by whisking icing sugar, orange juice, and melted butter until smooth; dip cookies in glaze and allow to set.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 90
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 15mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: <1g
Protein: <1g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider incorporating chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. Substitute lemon zest for a different citrus twist if desired. Ensure butter is at room temperature to achieve proper creaming consistency.