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5.0 from 147 votes

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Indulge in a perfect blend of tart and sweet with these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. Each buttery bite is infused with zesty orange zest and studded with plump cranberries, creating a delightful combination of flavors in every delectable cookie.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 222 kcal
Course: Dessert , Others
Cuisine: Canadian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • ½ cup +2 tbsp confectioners sugar
  • 2 tsp orange extract can substitute with almond extract
  • 2 tbsp orange zest
  • 4 tsp FRESH naval orange juice ~ approx ½ orange, juiced
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
  • cane sugar for topping
Orange Glaze
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the large bowl of a stand mixer, combine room temperature butter (cold butter won't work here!) and confectioner sugar. Beat together until completely creamed together (you may need to scrap the sides of the bowl a few times).
  2. Add in the orange extract, orange zest, and juiced orange. Beat again until smooth.
  3. Pour in the all purpose flour and salt. Mix again until dough forms.
  4. Fold in the chopped dried cranberries. Spin the mixer 4-6 times to disperse the cranberries, but be careful not to overmix.
  5. Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your work surface. Remove the dough from the mixer. It should have enough form that it stays together in one lump, and it shouldn't be too sticky or crumbly (see FAQs if your dough doesn’t seem quite right).
  6. Use your hands to form dough into a log shape roughly 2-3” in diameter. **If you'd like to make 18-24 cookies, make the log more narrow. Note: this will effect bake time. Monitor closely.
  7. Fold the plastic wrap tightly around the log and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. After the dough is completely chilled, remove from the plastic wrap. Use a straight sharp knife to cut even cookies, roughly ¼” thick.
  9. Place cookie dough rounds on a cookie sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper and top with a sprinkle of cane sugar. Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes or until centers are firm (the shortbread cookie will change colors from a yellow to more of a white when baked. You will know they are done when there is any hint of golden brown on the baked cookies' bottom edges). Keep a close eye as bake time will vary from oven to oven.
  10. While the cookies are baking, make the glaze: Combine orange juice, milk, and powdered sugar in the stand mixer. Whisk together until a thick, citrus glaze is formed. Note: If the glaze seems too thick, add milk in 1 tsp increments until desired consistency is reached. Avoid adding too much liquid, because if it is too thin the glaze will not harden on the shortbread cookie.
  11. Once the cookies cool, use a spoon to add ½ tbsp of icing onto each cookie. You can also opt to drizzle the glaze if you wish. Garnish with fresh orange zest and/or more chopped cranberries.

Notes

  • Use fresh orange juice squeezed from an orange rather than store bought.
  • You MUST chill the dough. It’s how the cookie holds its shape without any egg added.
  • You MUST chill the dough. It’s how the cookie holds its shape without any egg added.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 222kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 37g (12%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 75mg (3%) Potassium 10mg (0%) Sugar 28g (56%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 222

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 222kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 37g 12%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 75mg 3%
Potassium 10mg 0%
Sugar 28g 56%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.