Print

Best Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies – 3-Ingredient Easy Recipe

cranberry orange shortbread cookies - featured image
Print Recipe

These buttery, tender shortbread cookies are made with just three ingredients and come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for last-minute cravings or a quick dessert, they feature bright orange zest and chewy dried cranberries.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • Zest of 1 medium orange
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Zest the orange using a microplane or fine grater; set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar (if using), and salt.
  4. Add softened butter to the flour mixture. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
  5. Add dried cranberries and orange zest. Gently bring the dough together with your hands or a spatula until shaggy and just combined. If too crumbly, add 1 teaspoon cold water; if too sticky, add 1 tablespoon flour.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, about 1/2 inch thick.
  7. Score the dough into 16 squares (4×4) using a sharp knife, making shallow cuts.
  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and center is set. The top will remain pale.
  9. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then cut along the scored lines all the way through.
  10. Let cookies cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature butter and score the dough before baking. Let cookies cool completely in the pan to avoid crumbling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: shortbread cookies, cranberry orange, 3-ingredient recipe, easy cookies, no mixer, no chill

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/best-cranberry-orange-shortbread-cookies-3-ingredient-easy-recipe/