Description
Cranberry orange shortbread cookies blend zesty citrus with sweet-tart berries in a buttery, crumbly delight. Holiday baking reaches new heights with this simple yet elegant treat that delights dessert enthusiasts looking for something special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (optional, for coating the cookies)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Dough Base: Vigorously cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, pale foundation for the cookies.
- Enhance Flavor Profile: Gently fold in vanilla extract and orange zest, infusing the mixture with bright, citrusy aromatics that will elevate the shortbread’s complexity.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour and salt together, ensuring a fine, uniform texture that will contribute to the cookies’ delicate crumb.
- Merge Wet and Dry Components: Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring carefully to create a cohesive dough without overworking the delicate mixture.
- Integrate Cranberry Elements: Fold chopped cranberries throughout the dough, distributing the tart jewels for bursts of vibrant flavor in every bite.
- Shape and Chill: Form the dough into a compact log on parchment paper, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F, line baking sheets with parchment, and retrieve chilled dough from refrigerator.
- Slice and Arrange: Cut the dough log into quarter-inch thick rounds, positioning them carefully on prepared baking sheets with modest spacing.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer to preheated oven and bake until edges turn a delicate golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes, indicating the ideal crisp-tender shortbread texture.
- Cool and Set: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop their signature crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
Notes
- Prevent Overworking Dough: Gently mix ingredients to maintain a tender, light texture. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookies that lack the signature shortbread crumble.
- Precise Chilling Technique: Refrigerate dough for exactly one hour to enhance flavor development and ensure clean, even slices. Longer chilling can make the dough too firm.
- Uniform Slicing Matters: Use a sharp knife and steady hand to cut quarter-inch thick cookies. Consistent thickness guarantees even baking and perfect golden-brown edges.
- Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different dried fruits like chopped pistachios or dried cherries to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the classic shortbread base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg