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Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are a festive delight with a buttery texture and a burst of citrus flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Dough
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Provides structure; gluten-free flour blend may work but results can vary.
  • 0.5 cups granulated sugar Enhances sweetness, essential for achieving the perfect buttery texture.
  • 0.25 cups cornstarch Tenderizes cookies for that melt-in-your-mouth experience; can be omitted.
  • 0.25 teaspoon table salt Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter Supplies richness and moisture; use cold and cubed.
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries Adds tartness and visual appeal.
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest Infuses cookies with fragrance and citrus flavor.
For the Orange Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar Used for the glaze, providing sweetness.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice Enhances the citrus flavor in the glaze.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet
  • sharp knife
  • pastry cutter

Method
 

Directions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon of table salt. Whisk together until thoroughly blended.
  2. Add 1 cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the dough resembles wet sand.
  3. Gently fold in 1 cup of finely chopped fresh cranberries and the zest of one large orange. Mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  4. Turn the dough out onto parchment paper and knead it gently until smooth. Roll the dough into a 4x12-inch rectangle.
  5. Wrap the dough rectangle in parchment paper and place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  6. Once chilled, slice the dough into 24 sticks or rectangles using a sharp knife. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  8. Quickly reshape any misshapen cookies using an offset spatula while still warm.
  9. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare the glaze by whisking together 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice until smooth.
  10. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies for a sweet finish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

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