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Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Delightful cookies infused with the sweet-tart flavor of cranberries and the vibrant zest of oranges, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough Ingredients
  • 60 g caster sugar Fine sugar for a tender crumb.
  • 1 large orange (zest) Freshly zested for maximum flavor.
  • 125 g unsalted butter (room temperature) Rich butter gives a delightful texture.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Enhances the flavor profile of the cookies.
  • 180 g plain flour (all-purpose) Base for the cookie dough.
  • 75 g dried cranberries (finely chopped) Adds tartness and texture.
Glaze Ingredients
  • 120 g powdered icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar) For the glaze to add shine and sweetness.
  • 30 ml orange juice Freshly squeezed for flavor.
  • 1 tsp unsalted butter (melted) Enhances the richness of the glaze.

Method
 

Preparation of Cookie Dough
  1. Rub the caster sugar and orange zest together in a bowl to release the oils from the zest.
  2. Cream together the unsalted butter and orange sugar mixture until pale and fluffy, then mix in vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add the plain flour and dried cranberries, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
Shaping and Chilling
  1. Form the dough into a ball, press it into a disc, and roll it out to about ½ cm thick.
  2. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and place them on a lined baking tray. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 170°C (335°F) and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes until golden around the edges.
  2. Let cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Glazing
  1. Mix the powdered icing sugar, orange juice, and melted butter until smooth for the glaze.
  2. Dip the cooled cookies into the glaze and place back on the wire rack to set.

Notes

Consider adding a pinch of salt to balance sweetness. You can roll the dough into logs for slice-and-bake cookies. Experiment with different nuts or dried fruits for a unique twist.