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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Cardamom: Pulverize cardamom pods into a fine powder using a spice grinder, creating an intensely fragrant base for the cookies.
- 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.
- Form Dough: Incorporate ground cardamom and flour into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive, crumbly dough forms without excessive mixing.
- 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.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper while positioning oven rack in the middle position.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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