The Best Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Do you have a cookie exchange or holiday parties to attend this year? If so, I’ve got you covered! These are the best cranberry orange shortbread cookies and they are perfect for this time of year.

I’m so excited to be joining a group of blogger friends today to share some cookie exchange recipes and party ideas with you.

If you are coming over from Rachel at the Ponds Farmhouse, welcome! I’m so happy you are joining us!

Her dark chocolate pomegranate bark looks amazing, and I can’t wait to try it.

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cookie exchange recipes

chocolate covered peanut butter balls
double chocolate oreo bark
easy no bake Christmas cookies
peanut butter cookies
eggnog snickerdoodle cookies
Christmas monster cookies
favorite fudge
holiday dipped oreo cookies
cranberry orange shortbread cookies
dark chocolate pomegranate bark
pistachio thumbprint cookies
tiger butter fudge
molasses cookies
cinnamon sugar pecans
cinnamon popcorn
holiday punch

cranberry orange shortbread cookies

I have to be honest about these cranberry orange shortbread cookies. I’ve actually never made this exact recipe before now.

Starting with a good shortbread cookie recipe I have and adding fresh cranberries and orange zest made this a fun new cookie recipe for the holidays.

I have to say the first time experiment was a success. The orange flavor mixed with cranberries made the perfect shortbread cookie.

And they are light, moist and delicious and might be my new favorite cookies.

ingredients for cranberry shortbread cookies

1 cup butter (salted), room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
zest from one orange

directions for shortbread cookies

Using stand mixer or hand mixer at medium speed, cream butter and powdered sugar together until well blended.

Add flour and vanilla and mix until just blended.

Rough chop fresh cranberries (I use a mini food processor for this) then mix with 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar.

Fold chopped cranberries into cookie dough mixture and add fresh orange zest.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a log shape, then wrap in plastic wrap.

Place in freezer for about 30 minutes.

Remove from freezer, unwrap the dough log and using a sharp knife, cut into 1/4″ slices.

Put cookies on parchment lined baking sheet. Place in 325 degree preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Print the recipe card below, to save for later.

variations for orange cranberry shortbread cookies

If you like nuts, you can add chopped walnuts or pecans to the mix when you add the cranberries and orange zest.

Omit the orange zest if you want.

You can substitute chopped dried cranberries for fresh, just omit the sugar.

You can substitute almond extract for the vanilla extract, if you prefer.

If you are using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to your shortbread dough mixture.

These cookies can be cut into shapes if you want. Just form dough into a ball and refrigerate for about an hour, then take out of fridge and using a rolling pin, roll dough out to about 1/4″ thickness. Cut with a cookie cutter of your choice.

You can store the cookies in an airtight container for several days.

packaging ideas for a cookie exchange

As some of you may know, I love thrifting and estate sales.

One of the things that is fun for me to look for when I am thrifting is vintage teacups or small plates.

I like to have these on hand when I deliver cookies, cakes, etc. to friends and neighbors.

And they make such a cute presentation for a hostess gift or cookie exchange party.

I used cello bags to package a stack of my shortbread cookies, and tied with a cute ribbon.

I made tags by using the word document on my computer and printing out on cardstock.

Next, I placed a bag of cookies inside a teacup to make a fun presentation for a cookie exchange.

I hope you enjoy this recipe for the best cranberry orange shortbread cookies and try them out for your next holiday party.

Up next is Nicolle, at Our Tiny Nest and she is sharing Pistachio Thumbprint cookies that look amazing.

Be sure and click on the link below each photo to see all of the amazing recipes my friends are sharing.

blessings and happy holidays,

Christmas Cookies and Holiday Treats

Are you looking to add some new recipes to your holiday rotation this year? Click on the links below to go to each post and see more.

Midwest Life And Style – Peanut Butter Balls | Cottage On Bunker Hill – Double Chocolate Oreo Bark | White Lilac Farmhouse – No Bake Christmas Cookies | Cottage In The Mitten – Holiday Peanut Butter Cookies

My Family Thyme – Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies | Eleanor Rose Home – Christmas Monster Cookies | Pasha Is Home – Christmas Fudge | Tatertots And Jello – Holiday Dipped Oreo Cookies

The Ponds Farmhouse – Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark | Vintage Home Designs – Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies | Our Tiny Nest – Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies | Bricks ‘n Blooms – Tiger Butter Fudge

The Tattered Pew – Daddy’s Molasses Cookies | Open Doors Open Hearts – Cinnamon Sugar Pecans | WM Design House – Cinnamon Popcorn | She Gave It A Go – Holiday Punch

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