Festive Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Recipe for Sweet Joy

Buttery, crumbly shortbread meets a delightful twist with this cranberry pistachio shortbread recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Festive colors and rich textures dance together in every delicate bite.

The emerald green pistachios contrast beautifully against the ruby red cranberries, creating a visual masterpiece.

Crisp edges and a tender crumb make these cookies irresistibly sophisticated.

Sweet and slightly tart notes blend seamlessly with the nutty undertones of premium pistachios.

These elegant cookies deliver a perfect balance of flavors that will impress even the most discerning dessert lovers.

Bake a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20min

Cook Time: 15min

Total Time: 4hrs 35min

Calories: 195 kcal

Servings: 22

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Ingredients

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation that creates tender texture and adds luxurious flavor to shortbread.
• Powdered Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and helps create melt-in-your-mouth crumbly consistency.
• Flour: Builds structural backbone of the cookie, ensuring perfect crisp and stable shape.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.

• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement the nutty and tart elements.
• Cranberries: Adds vibrant tartness and beautiful ruby-red color bursts throughout the cookie.
• Pistachios: Provides delightful crunch, earthy undertones, and beautiful green specks.

• Wax Paper/Parchment Paper: Facilitates easy shaping, rolling, and prevents dough from sticking.
• Freezer Container: Allows convenient storage and extended preservation of cookie logs.

Tools to Bake Shortbread Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining butter, sugar, and other ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Helps beat butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency quickly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements are key for perfect shortbread texture.
• Cutting board: Great for chopping cranberries and pistachios into small pieces.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice dough logs into even cookies.
• Wax or parchment paper: Perfect for rolling and shaping dough logs.
• Baking sheets: Provides even heat distribution for golden, crisp cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.

Making Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

• Creamy Butter Base

Blend softened butter with powdered sugar until light and airy, creating a smooth foundation for the shortbread.

• Flour and Zest Mixture

Gently fold flour, a touch of salt, and vibrant orange zest into the creamy mixture, forming a delicate dough with hints of citrusy brightness.

• Colorful Crunch Additions

Carefully fold in ruby-red cranberries and emerald pistachios, transforming the pale dough into a festive canvas of flavor and texture.

• Log Formation

Divide the dough into two portions, rolling each into elegant cylindrical shapes on parchment paper, then wrap tightly to create compact logs.

• Chilling Period

Refrigerate the wrapped logs for several hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up completely.

• Oven Preparation

Preheat the oven and line baking sheets, creating a warm environment for the soon-to-be delicate cookies.

• Precise Slicing

Unwrap the chilled logs and slice into delicate rounds, ensuring each cookie is uniform and beautiful.

• Golden Baking

Arrange cookie slices on prepared sheets and bake until edges turn a soft golden brown, filling the kitchen with a warm, buttery aroma.

Cookie Flavor Variations Worth Trying

• Replace cranberries with dried cherries, blueberries, or chopped apricots for a unique flavor profile that keeps the recipe exciting and fresh.
• Add a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon to the dough for extra warmth and complexity that elevates the traditional shortbread taste.
• Use a sharp serrated knife and gentle sawing motion when cutting cookies to ensure clean, even slices without crumbling the delicate dough.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for extended enjoyment without losing their buttery texture.

How to Serve Festive Shortbread Cookies

• Holiday Cookie Platter: Create a festive display by arranging these shortbread cookies on a beautiful ceramic platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a wintery look.
• Tea Time Pairing: Serve these delicate shortbread cookies alongside a warm cup of Earl Grey tea or orange-infused herbal tea to complement the citrusy zest and nutty flavors.
• Gifting Presentation: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or a holiday ribbon, perfect as homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings. Add a small gift tag for a personal touch.
• Dessert Complement: Crumble these shortbread cookies over vanilla ice cream or use as a crunchy topping for yogurt parfaits to add texture and a burst of cranberry-pistachio flavor.

Best Way to Store Shortbread Batches

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep these delightful shortbread logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper. They'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ready for spontaneous cookie cravings.
• Freezer Magic: Slice and freeze unbaked cookie logs for quick treats. Stack them between parchment paper in an airtight container, lasting up to 3 months. Perfect for unexpected guests or late-night snack attacks.
• Cookie Separation Strategy: When storing baked cookies, place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Sealed containers at room temperature maintain crispness for about a week, keeping every bite deliciously crunchy.
• Temperature Wisdom: Cool cookies completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup. Room temperature works best for short-term storage, while the refrigerator extends their life and maintains that perfect shortbread texture.

Buttery Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 4hrs 35min
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delicate cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies combine festive flavors with buttery richness. Crisp edges and nutty undertones make these elegant treats perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (90 g) dried cranberries, chopped
• ¾ cup (90 g) unsalted pistachios, chopped
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest

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Instructions

1. Mixing: Whip butter and powdered sugar until achieving a cloud-like, velvety consistency using an electric mixer.
2. Dough Formation: Integrate flour, salt, and orange zest into the butter mixture at low speed, transforming the ingredients into a compact, cohesive dough.
3. Add-Ins: Delicately incorporate chopped cranberries and pistachios, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough for balanced flavor and texture.
4. Shaping: On parchment paper, divide and roll the dough into two symmetrical cylindrical logs, each measuring 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
5. Wrapping and Chilling: Encase logs tightly in parchment paper, securing the ends, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze in an airtight container for extended storage.
6. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
7. Slicing and Positioning: Extract logs from refrigerator, slice into uniform 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick cookies, and arrange on prepared baking sheets with 2-inch spacing.
8. Baking: Bake for 14-17 minutes until tops are set and edges display a delicate golden-brown hue, signaling perfect shortbread completion.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigeration helps cookies maintain shape, prevents spreading, and intensifies flavor development.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, non-serrated knife and clean the blade between cuts for clean, uniform cookie edges.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Pat cranberries dry before adding to prevent excess liquid from affecting dough consistency.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Unbaked logs can be frozen up to 2 months, allowing spontaneous fresh-baked cookie moments anytime.

• Prep Time: 20min
• Cook Time: 15min
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 15mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg