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A collection of diverse Christmas baking recipes laid out invitingly.

Festive Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

These festive shortbread cookies are bursting with the bright flavors of cranberry and orange, perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat any time of year.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 12 cookies
Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • electric mixer
  • sharp knife
  • parchment paper
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1 large orange Zest of
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer for 3-5 minutes.
  • Beat in the orange zest and vanilla extract until they are well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms; do not overmix.
  • Fold in the finely chopped dried cranberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Divide the dough in half and shape each into a 1.5-inch diameter log; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove one dough log from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and slice it into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
  • Place the cookie rounds about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.

Finishing and Storage

  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

For best results, ensure your butter is truly softened for a light and fluffy dough. Chilling the dough sufficiently makes slicing much easier and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.