Description
These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies combine buttery, crumbly shortbread with tangy cranberries and bright orange zest, finished with a sweet orange glaze. Perfectly crisp and bursting with citrus flavor, they make a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter (cold and cut into ½-inch cubes)
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries (finely chopped)
- ½ tablespoon orange zest
Glaze Ingredients
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons orange juice
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt thoroughly.
- Cut in butter: Add cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture and mix until the butter is evenly incorporated and the mixture resembles wet sand. When squeezed, it should hold together in a ball, about 3 minutes mixing time.
- Add flavorings: Gently stir in the finely chopped cranberries and orange zest into the dough.
- Form dough and chill: Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Knead gently into a smooth ball. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and roll out into a 4×12-inch rectangle. Freeze for 20 minutes to let it firm up.
- Preheat oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Slice cookies: Remove dough from freezer and slice into 24 thin sticks. Arrange the slices evenly on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for approximately 20 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown.
- Shape cookies: Right after baking, use two offset spatulas or bench scrapers to gently squeeze and straighten the slightly misshapen cookies while still warm.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
- Prepare glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze cookies: Once cookies are cooled, transfer the glaze to a pastry bag or a squeeze bottle and drizzle over the cookies for a bright and sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Note 1: Cornstarch helps create a tender and delicate texture in the shortbread.
- Note 2: Finely chopping fresh cranberries ensures even distribution and prevents large bursts of tartness in the cookies.
- Tip: Use offset spatulas to gently reshape cookies after baking while they are still warm to achieve a neater appearance.
- For best results, use cold unsalted butter to control dough consistency and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, shortbread cookies, citrus cookies, cranberry cookies, orange zest, holiday cookies
