Go Back
+ servings
Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Irresistibly Buttery Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Delight in these Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, a festive treat blending tart cranberries and zesty orange for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the Cookies
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Provides structure and the perfect crumbly texture; ensure precise measurements for best results.
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar Sweetens the dough and enhances the buttery flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch Adds tenderness for an extra crumbly cookie; can be omitted for a firmer texture.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavors.
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter Essential for a rich, buttery taste; use cold and cubed for the best texture.
  • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries Offers a burst of tartness; can substitute with dried cranberries if desired.
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Zest Infuses the dough with aromatic citrus flavor.
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar Sweetens the glaze for a festive finish.
  • 2 tablespoons Orange Juice Adds sweetness and extra citrus flavor to the glaze.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Pastry Cutter
  • parchment paper
  • Sharp Knife
  • baking sheet
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  2. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries and orange zest into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Knead the dough lightly until it comes together.
  3. Lay the dough between two sheets of parchment paper, then roll it into a rectangle approximately 4x12 inches in size. Once shaped, place the rolled dough in the freezer for 20 minutes.
  4. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Once chilled, remove the dough from the freezer and slice it into 24 equal sticks. Arrange the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake the cookies for 20 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes.
  6. Prepare the glaze by combining powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

For best results, use cold butter and avoid overworking the dough. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!