Description
Discover the perfect balance of tart cranberries and zesty orange in Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies that melt in your mouth. These cookies combine buttery richness with bursts of citrus brightness and chewy cranberry texture, making them an irresistible treat ideal for holidays, casual teas, or anytime you crave a cozy, joyful cookie experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by zesting a fresh orange to capture the essential oils and bright aroma. Measure out your dried cranberries, and soften the butter by leaving it at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aerates the dough, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract, allowing their fragrances to infuse the butter-sugar mixture beautifully.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Over-mixing can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in Dried Cranberries: Gently fold in the dried cranberries, distributing them evenly without crushing, so each cookie delivers a perfect bite of tart, chewy fruit.
- Shape the Dough: Form the dough into a log or press it evenly into a baking pan depending on whether you prefer slice-and-bake rounds or classic shortbread squares.
- Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it up, preventing spreading and intensifying flavors.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for around 20-25 minutes, or until the edges just turn golden, signaling a delicate crispness while maintaining tenderness inside.
Notes
- Use Cold Butter When Chilling: This helps maintain cookie shape and texture in the oven.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: To keep the cookies tender, mix only until ingredients come together.
- Fresh Zest Is Key: Use fresh orange zest, not dried, for the brightest citrus flavor.
- Adjust Cranberry Size: Chop larger dried cranberries for better distribution and easier bites.
- Cool Completely Before Storing: Prevent sogginess by letting cookies cool fully on a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cranberry shortbread, orange zest cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies, citrus cookies, dried cranberries
