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Zesty Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookie

Zesty Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies for Holiday Joy

Delight in the festive flavors of Zesty Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Base
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Use unbleached flour for superior flavor.
  • 0.5 cups granulated sugar Opt for pure cane sugar for the best results.
  • 0.25 cups cornstarch Creates a melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
  • 1 pinch salt Enhances overall flavor.
For the Fruity Fillings
  • 0.75 cups dried cranberries Choose moist, plump cranberries for maximum flavor.
  • 1 medium orange orange zest Use only the outer orange layer to avoid bitter pith.
  • 1 cups unsalted butter High-quality European-style butter works wonders.
For the Glaze
  • 1 cups powdered sugar Sift to eliminate any lumps.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice Use freshly squeezed juice for the best results.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • hand mixer
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Whisk them together until fully blended.
  2. Add cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a hand mixer on low speed, combine until the mixture resembles coarse sand with small, pea-sized butter pieces.
  3. Gently fold in chopped dried cranberries and the zest of 1 medium orange until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
  4. Turn the mixture out onto a sheet of parchment paper. Knead it gently until it forms a cohesive ball, avoiding overworking the dough.
  5. Wrap the formed rectangle in parchment paper and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  6. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
  7. Once the dough is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Cut it into 24 uniform sticks with a sharp knife.
  8. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown.
  9. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on a wire rack completely. Prepare the glaze and drizzle it over the cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Make sure to chill the dough adequately to retain shape and prevent spreading during baking.

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