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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Mixing: Whip butter and powdered sugar until achieving a cloud-like, velvety consistency using an electric mixer.
- Dough Formation: Integrate flour, salt, and orange zest into the butter mixture at low speed, transforming the ingredients into a compact, cohesive dough.
- Add-Ins: Delicately incorporate chopped cranberries and pistachios, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough for balanced flavor and texture.
- Shaping: On parchment paper, divide and roll the dough into two symmetrical cylindrical logs, each measuring 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
- 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.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- 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.
- 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