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Best Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies – Easy Holiday Recipe

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These buttery shortbread cookies are packed with tart dried cranberries and bright orange zest, then finished with a simple orange glaze. They are the perfect make-ahead holiday treat that looks bakery-worthy with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup (60g) dried cranberries, roughly chopped
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the orange zest and salt until combined, about 30 seconds.
  3. Gradually add the flour on low speed in three additions, mixing just until the flour disappears after each addition.
  4. Fold in the chopped dried cranberries with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, divide in half, and shape each half into an 8-inch log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
  6. Chill the logs for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  8. Slice the logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds using a sharp serrated knife. Place slices about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden brown. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  11. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice. Add more juice if needed to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
  12. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting the excess drip off. Place back on the wire rack and immediately sprinkle with fresh orange zest.
  13. Let the glaze set completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Notes

Do not skip the chilling step—it prevents spreading. Use a serrated knife for clean slices. Watch the edges, not the centers, for doneness. The cookies taste even better the day after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange shortbread cookies, holiday cookies, shortbread recipe, easy Christmas cookies, cranberry cookies

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/best-cranberry-orange-shortbread-cookies-easy-holiday-recipe/