The Best Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe Ever

Buttery orange cranberry shortbread cookies blend classic comfort with vibrant seasonal flair.

Sweet-tart berries dance through delicate, crumbly cookie landscapes, enhanceing simple ingredients into elegant treats.

Rich, golden dough carries bright citrus notes that awaken winter palates.

Delicate crunch meets tangy bursts of fruit in each carefully crafted bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cookies elevate traditional shortbread with unexpected flavor complexity.

Delightful textures and complementary tastes create a memorable culinary experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

You’ll find these morsels perfect for afternoon tea, gifting, or quiet moments of indulgence.

Why Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Hit the Mark

• Burst with Citrusy Brightness: These shortbread cookies pack a zesty punch with vibrant orange zest that dances across your taste buds, delivering a refreshing and tangy flavor profile that instantly lifts your mood.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: The cornstarch and careful mixing technique create an incredibly tender, crumbly shortbread that literally dissolves on your tongue, offering a luxurious and delicate eating experience.
• Quick Weekend Baking Delight: With just 40 minutes total time and simple ingredients, these cookies are perfect for spontaneous baking sessions, allowing even novice bakers to create a professional-looking treat that impresses friends and family.
• Festive Holiday Charm: The combination of cranberries and orange glaze transforms these cookies into a beautiful seasonal treat, making them ideal for Christmas gatherings, winter celebrations, or gifting to loved ones during the holiday season.

What You’ll Need for Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the classic shortbread base and structure for the cookies.
• Cornstarch: Adds delicate tenderness and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Cold butter creates flaky, rich texture and provides essential fat for the shortbread.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright, fresh citrus flavor and aromatic notes to the cookies.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces tart, fruity bursts and beautiful color throughout the shortbread.

• Powdered Sugar, Orange Juice: Creates a smooth, tangy glaze that adds shine and extra citrus flavor to the cooled cookies.

Bake Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies with These Steps

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Mix flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter

• Cold butter cubes

Add butter to the dry ingredients

Mix on low speed until the mixture looks like wet sand

Gently press the mixture to check for clumping

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Finely chopped cranberries
• Orange zest

Stir cranberries and zest into the dough

Distribute ingredients evenly throughout the mixture

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Transfer dough onto parchment paper

Knead briefly to create a smooth ball

Place another parchment sheet on top

Roll out to create a 4×12-inch rectangle

Aim for consistent thickness

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Place dough in freezer

Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up

This helps create a crisp texture

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C)

Cut dough into 24 even sticks

Arrange on baking sheet lined with silicone mat

Space cookies slightly apart

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for approximately 20 minutes

Look for light golden edges

Cookies should be firm but not dark brown

Reshape cookies while still warm if needed

Step 8: Cool and Rest

Transfer cookies to wire rack

Allow complete cooling

Ensure cookies are room temperature before glazing

Step 9: Create Orange Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh orange juice

Whisk ingredients in a small bowl

Mix until smooth and glossy

No lumps should remain

Step 10: Finish with Glaze

Use pastry bag or squeeze bottle

Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies

Create elegant zigzag or stripe patterns

Let glaze set completely before serving

Tips to Nail the Shortbread Texture

• Chill for Crumbly Texture: Freezing the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the shortbread's signature melt-in-your-mouth crumbly texture.
• Zest Wisely: Finely grate orange zest to ensure even distribution and prevent large bitter chunks in your cookies.
• Cut Precisely: Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to create clean, uniform cookie sticks for professional-looking results.
• Glaze Strategically: Wait until cookies are completely cool before adding the orange glaze to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, crisp finish.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.

How to Save and Enjoy Shortbread Cookies Later

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Layer cookies between wax paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll keep perfectly for 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Restore Crispness: Warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes before serving to revive their original crisp texture and enhance their buttery orange-cranberry flavor.

Pairing Tips for Orange Cranberry Shortbread Treats

• Brew Citrusy Herbal Tea: Pair these delicate shortbread cookies with a warm chamomile or earl grey tea that complements the orange zest and enhances the cookie's subtle citrus notes.
• Match with Creamy Dessert Wine: A chilled moscato or sweet riesling will beautifully balance the tartness of cranberries and provide a luxurious drinking experience alongside these buttery cookies.
• Create a Dairy Delight: Serve with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of orange-infused mascarpone to elevate the cookie's flavor profile and add a rich, smooth texture.
• Craft a Festive Coffee Companion: Enjoy with a smooth cappuccino or latte, where the coffee's warmth and creamy milk will harmonize with the cookie's delicate cranberry and orange undertones.

Recipe Twists for Shortbread Cookie Fans

• Lemon Lavender Shortbread: Replace orange zest with lemon zest and add dried lavender buds for a floral, citrusy flavor profile that's elegant and refreshing.
• Chocolate Almond Shortbread: Swap cranberries for mini dark chocolate chips and add finely chopped almonds, then drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a rich, nutty version.
• Ginger Cardamom Shortbread: Incorporate ground ginger and cardamom into the dry ingredients, using crystallized ginger pieces instead of cranberries for a warm, spicy cookie with complex aromatics.
• Coconut Lime Shortbread: Mix in shredded unsweetened coconut, replace orange zest with lime zest, and create a coconut-lime glaze to complement the tropical flavor combination.

Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive orange cranberry shortbread cookies bring European bakery charm to holiday tables. Delicate buttery rounds sparkle with zesty citrus and tart cranberry, creating an irresistible treat perfect for winter celebrations you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (75 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Fat and Fruit Ingredients:

• 1 stick (113 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
• ¼ cup (40 g) fresh cranberries, finely chopped
• ½ tablespoon orange zest

Garnish Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (80 g) powdered sugar
• 3 teaspoons (15 g / 0.5 fluid ounces) orange juice

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Instructions

1. Whisk flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough incorporation of dry ingredients.
2. Introduce cold butter cubes to the mixture, blending on minimal speed until the texture resembles coarse, damp sand that holds together when gently compressed.
3. Fold finely chopped cranberries and vibrant orange zest into the crumbly dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer the fragile dough onto a parchment paper surface, gently kneading to form a cohesive ball.
5. Position a second parchment sheet atop the dough and carefully roll into a precise 4×12-inch rectangular shape.
6. Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes to achieve optimal firmness and enhance structural integrity.
7. Heat the oven to 325°F, preparing a silicone mat-lined baking sheet.
8. Slice the chilled dough into 24 elegant, uniform sticks and arrange them with precise spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, monitoring until edges develop a delicate golden-brown hue.
10. While still warm, gently reshape cookies if needed to maintain their pristine form.
11. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, preparing for the final glaze application.
12. Whisk powdered sugar and fresh orange juice in a small bowl until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
13. Elegantly drizzle the citrusy glaze over cooled cookies using a pastry bag or squeeze bottle for a professional finish.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the crisp, delicate texture of these elegant shortbread cookies.
• Orange zest and cranberries create a vibrant, tangy flavor combination that elevates traditional shortbread to a festive treat.
• Use cold butter and work quickly to ensure a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture characteristic of classic shortbread.
• Reshape cookies immediately after baking while they’re still warm to achieve a perfect, uniform appearance.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent the orange drizzle from becoming runny and maintain a clean, professional finish.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days to preserve their delicate crunch and bright citrus flavor.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 128
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 36 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg