Enjoy the crisp, buttery texture of Cranberry Shortbread Cookies, where sweet meets tart in a memorable treat. These cookies provide a cheerful pop of cranberry in every delectably crumbly slice, making them an instant favorite at holiday parties or a snug afternoon snack.
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – Ensure your flour is at least 11-12% protein to prevent the cookies from spreading.
- Softened butter – Salted butter is used. If you opt for unsalted, add a bit more salt.
- Caster sugar – A very fine sugar.
- Pinch of salt
- Dried cranberries
Instructions:
Prepare Dough: Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer (or stand mixer) in a large bowl for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until creamy. Sift the flour and salt into the butter mixture and stir. When almost combined, add the dried cranberries and continue mixing on medium speed until the dough becomes firm.
Chill: Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes, or you can chill it overnight for convenience.
Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and if very firm, gently knead it to soften. Place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap and roll it out until it's about ¼" thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into rounds or squares and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Optionally, you can sprinkle sugar over the tops for extra sweetness.
Bake: Before baking, place the pans in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape. Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes. After baking, allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
These cookies are a fantastic choice for holiday dessert platters, emphasizing the nice contrast of the buttery shortbread with the tart dried cranberries. Perfect for Christmas, they are not only easy to make but also ideal for gifting due to their shelf stability at room temperature.
Enjoy baking and sharing these festive Cranberry Shortbread Cookies!
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