There’s something magical about the smell of Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies wafting through the kitchen. Imagine a buttery cookie, crumbling in your hands, with bursts of tart cranberries and zesty orange dancing on your taste buds. Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies recipe These cookies are not just delicious; they’re like a cozy hug from grandma on a chilly winter afternoon.
I still remember the first time I baked these cookies—my family gathered around, eyes sparkling with anticipation, as we waited for that glorious batch to come out of the oven. Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake They quickly became our favorite holiday treat, perfect for cookie exchanges or simply enjoying while snuggling on the couch with a good book.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are incredibly easy to make, even for novice bakers
- The delightful combination of flavors creates a mouthwatering experience
- Their vibrant colors make them visually appealing and festive for any occasion
- Plus, they store well, so you can enjoy them later without losing their charm
Baking these cookies has brought countless smiles to my family’s faces, proving that food really does create cherished memories together. For more inspiration, check out this Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish: delicious Homemade Cherry Crumble.
- Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for the best creaming results, creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar: This sweetener helps achieve a light and tender cookie while balancing the tartness of cranberries.
- Powdered Sugar: A touch of powdered sugar adds sweetness and helps create that delicate shortbread texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard flour works perfectly here; don’t sift it unless you want extra fluffiness.
- Cranberries: Fresh or dried cranberries both work well; choose based on availability or preferred sweetness level.
- Orange Zest: Always use fresh zest; it adds an irresistible citrus aroma and flavor punch.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances all the flavors in your cookies beautifully.
- Salt: A pinch of salt elevates all the flavors and balances out the sweetness perfectly.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Creaming Time!: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and light. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and almost whipped.
Add Flavor!: Mix in the powdered sugar until combined. Then add the vanilla extract and freshly grated orange zest—just imagine that aroma filling your kitchen!
Mix Dry Ingredients!: In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt until evenly mixed. Slowly incorporate this dry mixture into your wet ingredients using a spatula until just combined.
Add Cranberries!: Gently fold in your chopped cranberries using a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix; we want those lovely pockets of fruit throughout!
Scoop & Shape!: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto your prepared baking sheet about two inches apart. Flatten each mound slightly with your palm for that classic shortbread look.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. Allow cooling on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these delightful Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies warm or store them in an airtight container for up to one week—if you can resist eating them all right away! indulgent Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls.
You Must Know
- These delightful Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make, perfect for any occasion
- With a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, they offer a taste experience that lingers long after the last crumb has vanished
Perfecting the Cooking Process
To ensure your Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies turn out perfectly, start by creaming butter and sugar until fluffy before adding dry ingredients. Chilling the dough for at least an hour helps solidify the flavors. For more inspiration, check out this Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars recipe.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to experiment with additional flavors like lemon zest or dark chocolate chunks for a unique twist on these classic cookies. You can even swap cranberries for dried cherries or blueberries!
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to enjoy them warm, pop them in a 350°F oven for about five minutes.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- For the best results, always use unsalted butter to control salt levels
- Measuring flour accurately prevents dry cookies, while chilling dough enhances flavor and texture
- Avoid overbaking; shortbread should remain pale and soft in the center
It was during a holiday gathering when my cousin declared these cookies “a slice of heaven.” The laughter and joy around the table made all the baking chaos worth it; I’ll never forget that moment.
FAQ
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones?
Fresh cranberries can make your cookies more tart, so adjust sugar accordingly.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Substituting regular flour with gluten-free flour blend works beautifully in this recipe.
What’s the best way to decorate Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies?
Drizzling with white chocolate or sprinkling powdered sugar adds a lovely touch and extra sweetness.
Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, where buttery goodness meets tart cranberries and zesty orange. These cookies are a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons at home. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant colors, they are sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy them fresh from the oven, or store them for a week-long treat that keeps on giving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or dried, chopped)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest; mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in cranberries.
- Drop dough by tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet, flatten slightly, and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, consider adding lemon zest or dark chocolate chunks. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. Reheat in a warm oven for a few minutes if desired.
