Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookie

This delicious recipe by Antoinette Erickson is perfect not just for the holidays, but for winter in general…

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries,
• 3/4 cup of sugar granulated,
• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled, not scooped),
• 1 cup of butter, (cubed and cold),
• 1 teaspoon of almond extract,
• zest of one orange,
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice,
• additional sugar will be needed to coat the cookies before baking.

Instructions:

Combine cranberries and 1/4 of a cup of sugar in a food processor. Pulse until the cranberries are broken down into smaller pieces. Set aside.

Using a large mixing bowl combine flour and remaining sugar and add cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork. I usually use my fingers to break the butter into the flour until it resembles small crumbs.

Stir in almond extract and cranberry sugar mixture along with orange zest and 1 tablespoon of orange juice. Use your hands to knead until it comes together and forms a ball.

If the dough is still crumbly add a little more orange juice. Shape dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter and wrap and cling film and refrigerate for two hours or up to 72 hours. When you’re ready to make your cookies preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.

Cut slices of cookie dough about 1/4 of an inch thick. Place about half a cup of sugar in a bowl and coat each cookie slice with sugar. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or just until the cookie sets. Do not overbake!

Let the cookies cool for several minutes on the baking sheet before removing the cooling rack.

Store in an airtight container for up to three days or you can freeze the cookies for up to three months.

About Antoinette:

Born in Scotland, and growing up in England, Antoinette has been living for more than 30 years now in beautiful New England together with her family and their adorable frenchie named Frankie. With a background in interior design, Antoinette is an artist to say the least, fascinating her (many) Instagram followers with daily home decor and baking tips. Follow Antoinette on Instagram at @cozycottageandgarden.