Orange Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Orange Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and lightly infused with bright citrus zest. Perfect for a sweet snack or afternoon tea, they offer a delicate balance of sweetness and a refreshing orange aroma.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional: extra powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
6. Step 6: Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will remain soft but will firm up as they cool.
7. Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra orange flavor, add a teaspoon of orange juice to the dough.
• Try dusting the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
• Use blood orange zest for a deeper, unique citrus note.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They also freeze well for up to three months. To reheat, warm briefly in a low oven or microwave to soften the cookies slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure the dough is well chilled before baking and avoid flattening the balls too thinly to keep their shape.

Orange Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 125 reviews

These Orange Shortbread Cookies are tender, buttery, and infused with fresh orange zest for a bright citrus flavor. Perfectly crumbly with a hint of vanilla, they make a delightful treat for afternoon tea or holiday gatherings. Simple to prepare and baked to golden perfection, these cookies offer a refreshing twist on classic shortbread.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: 27-30 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional

• Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Add flavorings: Stir in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract thoroughly to evenly distribute these fragrant flavors into the creamed butter mixture.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to ensure even seasoning and remove lumps.
5. Form the dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing it gently until a soft dough forms without overworking it to maintain tenderness.
6. Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into approximately 1-inch diameter balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass or your palm for even baking and the classic shortbread shape.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. The centers will look soft but will firm up as the cookies cool.
8. Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Optional dusting: Once completely cooled, you can dust the cookies lightly with extra powdered sugar for a pretty finish and added sweetness.

Notes

• Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender and crumbly.
• Use fresh orange zest for the best flavor; dried zest won’t provide the same bright citrus notes.
• The cookies will be soft when pulled out of the oven but will firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• For a more intense orange flavor, you can add a teaspoon of orange juice along with the zest.
• Optional: dust with powdered sugar for a festive look and subtle extra sweetness.

Keywords: orange shortbread cookies, citrus cookies, easy shortbread recipe, buttery orange cookies, holiday cookies, tea time treats