Creating Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies is simple if you follow these steps:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest, combining well.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in Cranberries: Add the chopped dried cranberries and gently fold them into the dough until evenly distributed.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a log shape. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is chilling.
- Slice the Cookies: Once chilled, remove the dough logs from the refrigerator. Slice them into approximately ¼ inch thick rounds.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cookie slices onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
These steps will guide you to create scrumptious Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies with ease.