Description
These Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies combine the tangy brightness of orange zest and juice with the tartness of dried cranberries, all nestled in a buttery, crumbly shortbread. Enhanced with sweet white chocolate chips, these cookies are perfect for a festive treat or an elegant afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup chopped dried cranberries
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, frozen
- 5–6 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, orange zest, and chopped dried cranberries. Cut in the frozen salted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Orange Juice: Gradually add 5 to 6 tablespoons of fresh orange juice to the flour and butter mixture, stirring gently until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Incorporate White Chocolate: Fold in the white chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough, ensuring every bite has a touch of sweetness.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which will make rolling easier.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut into desired shapes and place the cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain the delicate texture of shortbread.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- Chilling the butter and dough helps achieve the perfect crumbly texture typical of shortbread cookies.
- Use freshly grated orange zest and fresh orange juice for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of white chocolate chips or omit them entirely.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.
Keywords: Cranberry shortbread, Orange cookies, Holiday cookies, White chocolate cookies, Festive shortbread