Name: Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 20 Cookies
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 29, 2026

If there's a cookie that screams "holiday cheer," it's cranberry and pistachio shortbread cookies. With their buttery crumbly texture, festive pops of red cranberries, and green pistachios, these cookies not only look the part but taste divine. The hint of orange zest elevates the flavor, giving them a subtle citrusy brightness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the dried cranberries and the nuttiness of the pistachios.

Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread cover

From the Cook

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Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other 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.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Butter Temperature Magic 🧈
Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the perfect creamy consistency that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.
Nut Toasting Technique 🥜
Lightly toast pistachios in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a deeper, more complex dimension to your shortbread cookies.
Zest Maximization Method 🍊
When zesting the orange, only remove the bright orange outer layer and avoid the bitter white pith underneath for a pure, vibrant citrus flavor.
Dough Chilling Precision ❄️
Chill the prepared dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight) before baking to prevent spreading and create those perfectly clean, crisp shortbread edges.
Cranberry Distribution Trick 🍒
Finely chop dried cranberries and gently fold them into the dough to ensure even distribution and prevent large, tough chunks in your cookies.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.