Description
These buttery Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are crisp, tender, and bursting with bright citrus and tart cranberry flavor. Shape them into sticks or rounds, drizzle with a sweet orange glaze, and enjoy a festive treat perfect for holidays, gifting, or cozy winter snacking.
Ingredients
Cookies
1 ¼ cup (155 g) all-purpose flour
⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (75 g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
¼ cup (40 g) fresh cranberries, finely chopped
½ tablespoon orange zest
Orange Glaze
⅔ cup (80 g) powdered sugar
3 teaspoons (15 g) orange juice
Instructions
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.Add Butter:
Add cold butter cubes. Mix for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when squeezed.Add Flavor:
Stir in chopped cranberries and orange zest.Shape the Dough:
Transfer dough onto parchment or a silicone mat. Knead gently until smooth. Place another sheet on top and roll into a 4×12-inch rectangle or shape into a log for round cookies.Chill:
Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up.Slice & Bake:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Slice dough into 24 pieces—either sticks or round cookies—and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges turn lightly golden.Optional Shaping Tip:
If cookies look uneven, gently press the sides with two spatulas while warm for cleaner edges.Make the Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
Cornstarch creates a more tender cookie. For a crumblier texture, omit it.
Fresh cranberries give the best flavor, but dried cranberries also work. If using dried, chop finely and add 1–2 teaspoons of milk to moisten the dough.
Cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 76 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 1 g