Description
Delightful cranberry orange shortbread cookies that blend the zesty brightness of fresh orange zest with the tart sweetness of dried cranberries. These buttery, tender cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and make a delightful treat year-round.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (about 2 oranges)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Optional
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add flavorings: Mix in the pure vanilla extract and fresh orange zest until evenly incorporated, infusing the dough with bright, aromatic notes.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing gently until the dough just comes together without overworking.
- Fold in cranberries: Carefully fold in the finely chopped dried cranberries to evenly distribute their tart sweetness throughout the dough.
- Shape and chill dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the dough to firm up for easier slicing.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Slice and optionally sugar coat: Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. If desired, roll the edges of each cookie in granulated sugar for an extra sparkly finish before baking. Arrange cookies spaced about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color, indicating doneness without overbaking.
- Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring proper texture and flavor set.
Notes
- These cookies freeze well — store the shaped dough logs in the freezer and slice and bake as needed for fresh cookies anytime.
- For a festive touch, drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate.
- Using fresh orange zest is key to achieving the best bright, citrus flavor throughout the cookies.
