Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies blend the tender, crumbly texture of classic shortbread with the bright flavor of fresh orange zest and the tart pop of cranberries. They are wonderfully sweet and delicate, making them perfect for a peaceful afternoon tea, thoughtful gifting, or a light dessert to impress without fuss. Finished with a simple orange glaze, these cookies offer a refreshing layer of citrus sweetness that elevates the traditional shortbread experience.

I first baked these on a crisp autumn afternoon, and their comforting citrus notes quickly made them a seasonal favorite in our home. They bring just the right balance of sweet and tart to brighten up any moment.

Ingredients

• Allpurpose flour: for that classic tender crumb sift for best results
• Granulated sugar: for sweetness and slight crisp texture
• Cornstarch: helps create an extra crumbly melt in your mouth feel
• Table salt: to balance flavors and enhance sweetness
• Unsalted butter: cold and cubed to ensure proper dough texture and prevent greasiness
• Fresh cranberries: finely chopped to distribute tart bursts evenly
• Orange zest: provides a fragrant citrus kick choose unwaxed oranges to avoid bitterness
• Powdered sugar: for the smooth glaze
• Fresh orange juice: for a natural tang in the glaze freshsqueezed recommended

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment combine flour granulated sugar cornstarch and salt. Stir thoroughly to create an even base for the dough ensuring each bite will be consistently flavorful.

Incorporate Butter:

Add the cold cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Mix on low to medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed. This texture is crucial for tender shortbread and proper butter incorporation.

Add Flavorings:

Gently fold in finely chopped fresh cranberries along with the orange zest. This step infuses the dough with bright pops of fruitiness and refreshing citrus aroma that will come through in every bite.

Shape the Dough:

Transfer the dough onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Knead it gently into a smooth ball to gather all ingredients uniformly. Cover with another sheet of parchment then roll out into a rectangle about 4 by 12 inches. This ensures even thickness for uniform baking.

Chill Dough:

Place the rolled dough in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up. Chilling helps maintain the shape of each cookie stick during slicing and baking preventing excess spreading.

Preheat Oven:

While the dough chills preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 163 degrees Celsius. A properly heated oven ensures cookies bake evenly with those lightly browned edges we want.

Slice and Arrange:

Remove the dough from the freezer and cut into 24 evenly sized sticks. Arrange them spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment to prevent sticking and promote even baking.

Bake Cookies:

Bake for around 20 minutes watching carefully as they bake. Look for lightly browned edges as the cue that cookies are perfectly done tender center with just crusty enough edges.

Shape While Warm:

When the cookies come out of the oven and are still warm gently use two offset spatulas or bench scrapers to squeeze the sides and correct any misshapen sticks. This quick step helps them look neat and uniform before cooling.

Cool:

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Cooling lets the cookies set properly so they hold their shape and texture.

Prepare Glaze:

In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar and fresh orange juice until smooth and pourable. Use a pastry bag or squeeze bottle for easy precise glazing.

Drizzle Glaze:

Once cooled drizzle the bright orange glaze over the cookies for a beautiful finish and an extra hint of citrus sweetness.

I absolutely love the fresh cranberries in this recipe. They bring bursts of juicy tartness that keep these cookies from being too sugary and remind me of cozy holiday afternoons spent baking with family. The orange zest aroma fills the kitchen and brightens the whole experience.

Storage Tips

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to preserve freshness and crispness. If you want to save them longer freezing baked cookies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer safe container works perfectly. Thaw at room temperature before glazing if you prefer fresh tasting toppings.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap cornstarch for arrowroot powder for a grain free option that still maintains the crumbly texture. If fresh cranberries are out of season dried cranberries can work but reduce the sugar slightly since dried fruit is sweeter. Use finely grated lemon zest if you want a different citrus note but keep the glaze orange for contrast.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine on their own with tea or coffee but also pair well alongside soft cheeses like mascarpone or ricotta for a fancy touch. Try serving with a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate or alongside fresh berries for a charming dessert platter.

These orange cranberry shortbread cookies are tender buttery and bright with citrus and tart cranberry notes. Perfect for gifting or a cozy afternoon tea.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ What gives these shortbread sticks their citrus flavor?

Fresh orange zest and a light orange juice glaze provide a bright and refreshing citrus element to the shortbread.

→ How should I mix the dough to achieve the right texture?

Mix cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the texture resembles wet sand, which ensures a tender crumb.

→ Why is the dough chilled before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, helping the shortbread sticks hold their shape during baking and making them easier to slice.

→ Can fresh cranberries be substituted?

Fresh cranberries are recommended for their tart burst; however, dried cranberries can be used but will alter texture and moisture slightly.

→ How to store these shortbreads to maintain freshness?

Store the cooled shortbread sticks in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp and flavorful.