Name: Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 20 Cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tbsp orange zest; 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 cup powdered sugar; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 0.5 cup dried cranberries; 0.5 cup pistachios

Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread cover

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Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Prepare the butter by creaming 10 tablespoons (142 g) of unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth.

Mix in 1 tablespoon (6 g) of orange zest and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of vanilla extract. Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt and stir until fully incorporated.

Gradually mix in ½ cup (60 g) of powdered sugar, ensuring it's evenly blended for a light, creamy texture.

Slowly add 1 ½ cups (190 g) of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, stirring until a crumbly but cohesive dough forms.

Fold in ½ cup (60 g) of chopped dried cranberries and ½ cup (60 g) of chopped pistachios for festive flavor and texture.

Shape the dough into a 1-inch thick log on a floured surface. Wrap it tightly in parchment paper or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough into ½-inch disks or use cookie cutters for decorative shapes.

Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.

Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Chill Your Dough Properly ❄️
Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling and cutting to prevent spreading during baking and achieve that signature crumbly shortbread texture.
Toast Pistachios for Maximum Flavor 🥜
Lightly toast chopped pistachios at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before adding to the dough to intensify their nutty flavor and improve texture contrast.
Zest Your Orange First 🍊
Add orange zest to your butter and sugar mixture while creaming to distribute the oils evenly and maximize the citrusy brightness throughout each cookie.
Don't Overmix the Dough 🥄
Mix only until ingredients just combine after adding flour; overmixing develops gluten and creates tough cookies instead of the delicate, crumbly shortbread texture.
Chop Cranberries Smaller ✂️
Cut dried cranberries into quarters to distribute their tartness evenly and prevent large chunks that can create uneven texture or break cookies during handling.