Introduction

These Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies offer a delightful combination of zesty citrus and tart cranberries in a buttery, tender cookie. Perfect for a festive treat or an everyday indulgence, they are easy to make and beautifully flavored.

The image shows six rectangular shortbread cookies laid out in a neat row on a white marble board. Each cookie has a light beige base with small pieces of dried red and orange fruit scattered throughout. White icing is drizzled diagonally in thin lines over the top half of the cookies, creating a decorative pattern. The texture of the cookies looks soft and crumbly, with the fruit bits adding small pops of color against the pale dough. The white marble surface provides a clean and smooth backdrop that highlights the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
¼ cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped

½ tablespoon orange zest
2/3 cup powdered sugar
3 teaspoons orange juice

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt using a paddle attachment or a spoon.
Step 2: Add the cold butter cubes and mix until the butter is well incorporated and the mixture resembles wet sand, about 3 minutes. It should hold together when squeezed.
Step 3: Stir in the finely chopped cranberries and orange zest evenly throughout the dough.

Step 4: Turn the dough out onto parchment paper or a silicone mat and knead lightly into a smooth ball. Place another parchment sheet on top and roll into a 4×12-inch rectangle.
Step 5: Freeze the dough rectangle for 20 minutes to firm it up.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 7: Slice the chilled dough into 24 sticks and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat.
Step 8: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to lightly brown.
Step 9: Immediately after baking, gently squeeze the sides of each cookie with two offset spatulas or bench scrapers to straighten any irregular shapes.

Step 10: Cool the cookies completely on a wire rack.
Step 11: To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice together in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 12: Transfer the glaze to a pastry bag or squeeze bottle and drizzle over the cooled cookies.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh cranberries for a bright tartness, or substitute dried cranberries soaked briefly in orange juice for a chewier texture.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm spice note.
For a stronger orange flavor, add a teaspoon of orange extract to the glaze.

If you don’t have a silicone mat, parchment paper alone works fine for baking and rolling.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. When ready to serve, let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature. The glaze may soften slightly but remains delicious.

How to Serve

A close-up view of long rectangular cookies stacked inside a red metal tin with a clear lid decorated with Christmas designs; the cookies are light beige with small dark red fruit pieces inside, and each cookie is decorated with thin white icing drizzles diagonally across the top. The cookies are layered roughly in three levels, arranged neatly on brown parchment paper inside the tin, which rests on a white marbled surface partially covered by a white and brown patterned cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

It is best to use fresh cranberries for the best texture and flavor. If using frozen, thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the dough.

What if I don’t have cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps make the cookies tender, but you can substitute it with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or omit it entirely. The texture may be slightly different but still enjoyable.