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Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 77 reviews

Delight in these Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery richness and tart cranberries enhanced with a hint of citrus zest. These classic cookies are crisp on the edges and tender in the center, making them an ideal treat for holiday gatherings or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of one orange or tangerine (just the orange part, not the bitter white pith)
  • 1 heaping cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prep Cranberries: Rough chop the fresh cranberries and set aside for later use.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a food processor, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and citrus zest until well combined and fluffy.
  3. Add Flour and Vanilla: Add the all-purpose flour and vanilla extract to the mixture, pulsing about 10 times in the food processor. Then run the machine briefly until the dough begins to come together in lumps.
  4. Incorporate Cranberries: Add the chopped cranberries to the dough and pulse just enough to distribute them evenly without overprocessing.
  5. Form the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together with your hands until it is no longer crumbly.
  6. Shape the Dough Log: Form the dough into a 10-12 inch log, using plastic wrap to smooth and help shape it. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap tightly to seal the log.
  7. Chill: Refrigerate the dough log for at least 3 hours or overnight. Wrapping the log in a folded towel during chilling helps maintain a round shape.
  8. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  9. Slice and Bake: Slice the chilled dough into 1/3 inch thick slices and place them about two inches apart on the cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or longer if you prefer crisper cookies. Cookies should appear pale on top and just golden on the bottom.
  10. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They will be soft and delicate when warm but will firm up as they cool.

Notes

  • Using freshly chopped cranberries adds a lovely tartness and texture to the shortbread.
  • Adjust the thickness of your sliced cookies by varying the length of the dough log; longer logs yield smaller cookies.
  • Ensure not to overprocess the dough once the cranberries have been added to maintain their texture and prevent color bleeding.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining cookie shape and improving flavor.
  • If you prefer crisper cookies, extend the baking time slightly, watching closely to avoid burning.

Keywords: Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Butter Cookies, Citrus Zest Cookies, Easy Shortbread Recipe, Christmas Cookies

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/cranberry-shortbread-cookies-recipe/