Zesty Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe

Buttery, crisp shortbread cookies infused with warm cardamom flavor dance delightfully on the palate.

These delicate cardamom shortbread cookies with orange glaze bring an elegant twist to classic baking traditions.

Aromatic spices mingle with sweet citrus notes, creating a sophisticated treat that feels both comforting and luxurious.

Each bite promises a delicate crunch and complex flavor profile that will surprise and delight.

The orange glaze adds a bright, zesty finish that cuts through the rich, buttery base.

Delicate yet bold, these cookies are perfect for afternoon tea, a special dessert, or a thoughtful homemade gift.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 146 kcal

Servings: 22

Everything for Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

• Unsalted Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture; choose high-quality European-style butter for superior flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and helps create smooth, tender cookie consistency; sift to remove any lumps.
• All-Purpose Flour: Structural element that gives cookies their classic shortbread crumbly texture; use fresh, unbleached flour for best results.
• Ground Cardamom: Introduces warm, aromatic spice that elevates the cookie's complexity; grind fresh pods for most intense flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, smooth glaze with perfect drizzling consistency; ensure no clumps for seamless coating.
• Orange Juice: Adds bright, citrusy tang that complements cardamom's warmth; use freshly squeezed for vibrant flavor.
• Milk: Helps adjust glaze thickness and provides smooth blending; whole milk works best for richness.
• Orange Zest: Delivers intense citrus aroma and adds decorative visual appeal; use microplane for fine, delicate zesting.

Tools for Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and mixing dough smoothly.
• Spatula: Perfect for scraping bowl sides and pressing dough together.
• Parchment paper: Key for rolling out dough and lining baking sheets.
• Cookie cutters: Needed to create fun, uniform cookie shapes.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking orange glaze ingredients.
• Baking sheet: Required for baking cookies evenly.
• Wire rack: Helps cookies cool completely after baking.
• Rolling pin: Useful for rolling dough to consistent thickness.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient amounts.

Instructions for Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

• Cardamom Powder Preparation

Crush fresh cardamom pods into a fine, aromatic powder that will infuse the cookies with warm, exotic flavor.

• Butter and Sugar Blend

Combine softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixer, whipping until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy.

• Dough Formation

Gently fold ground cardamom and flour into the butter mixture, creating a tender dough that just comes together without overmixing.

• Dough Chilling

Shape the dough into a smooth disk, wrap securely, and let it rest in the refrigerator to develop rich flavors and become more manageable.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll out the chilled dough between parchment paper, cutting elegant shapes that will transform into delicate, crisp shortbread.

• Freezing and Baking

Briefly freeze the shaped cookies to ensure crisp edges, then bake until they reach a delicate golden hue that speaks of buttery perfection.

• Zesty Orange Glaze

Whip up a bright, tangy glaze using powdered sugar and fresh orange juice, creating a sparkling finish that complements the warm cardamom notes.

• Final Touches

Dip the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting it cascade down the sides, and sprinkle with fragrant orange zest for a burst of citrusy decoration.

Twist Your Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

• Cut cookies into traditional rectangles, festive holiday shapes, or create mini bite-sized treats for variety.
• Replace orange juice with lemon juice or add a splash of vanilla extract to the glaze for different flavor dimensions.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze unglazed cookies for extended enjoyment.

Serve Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze in Style

• Elegant Tea Party Companion: Serve these delicate cardamom shortbread cookies alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a sophisticated afternoon treat that elevates your gathering.
• Festive Holiday Gift Packaging: Carefully stack the glazed cookies in a beautiful tin or clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, creating a homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and warm hospitality.
• Dessert Platter Centerpiece: Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh orange slices, sprigs of mint, and a small dish of extra orange glaze, transforming them into a visually stunning dessert presentation that will impress guests.
• Breakfast Brunch Accent: Pair these fragrant cookies with a citrusy mimosa or fresh orange juice for a delightful morning sweet that adds a touch of elegance to your weekend brunch spread.

How to Store Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

• Smart Cookie Storage Solutions
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store glazed cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days, keeping their delicate texture intact.
• Counter Comfort Technique: Unglazed cookies can sit prettily at room temperature for 7-10 days in a sealed container, maintaining their crisp cardamom charm.
• Freezer Friendship Method: Wrap unbaked dough or cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen dough stays perfect for 3 months, while baked cookies maintain quality for 2 months.
• Moisture Matchmaking: Include a small piece of bread in the storage container to help cookies retain softness and prevent crumbly textures.

Buttery Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Fragrant cardamom shortbread cookies bring Mediterranean warmth to classic Scottish desserts. Sweet orange glaze complements delicate spice notes, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 226 g (1 cup) salted butter, softened
• 228 g (1¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• 60 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
• 2 g (1 tsp) ground cardamom
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) orange juice
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) milk
• orange zest (optional)
• 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar for glaze

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cardamom: Pulverize cardamom pods into a fine powder using a spice grinder, creating an intensely fragrant base for the cookies.
2. Create Butter Base: Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and completely smooth, eliminating any butter lumps.
3. Form Dough: Incorporate ground cardamom and flour into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive, crumbly dough forms without excessive mixing.
4. Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a compact disk, wrap completely in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to develop flavor and firm up the texture.
5. Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper while positioning oven rack in the middle position.
6. Shape and Freeze Cookies: Roll chilled dough between parchment papers to ½-inch thickness, cut into desired shapes, then freeze for 10-15 minutes to preserve intricate edges.
7. Bake to Perfection: Arrange frozen cookies on prepared baking sheet with slight spacing, then bake for 20-22 minutes until edges turn delicately golden and centers set.
8. Cool and Glaze: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack, then create a glossy orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and milk.
9. Finish and Decorate: Dip cooled cookie tops into orange glaze, allowing excess to drip off naturally, and garnish with fresh orange zest for a vibrant citrus accent.
10. Serve: Let glazed cookies sit until coating hardens completely, then arrange on a serving platter to showcase their elegant design and aromatic flavor profile.

Notes

• Preserve Cardamom Potency: Grind pods fresh before baking to maximize the intense, aromatic flavor profile and ensure maximum fragrance in your cookies.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Use butter precisely at room temperature for perfect creaming, which creates a light, tender cookie texture without compromising structural integrity.
• Chill for Crisp Edges: Freezing cut cookie shapes before baking prevents spreading and maintains clean, precise cookie outlines with professional-looking results.
• Glaze Application Technique: Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, even coating that sets beautifully and enhances visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 146
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 133 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg