Zesty Orange Shortbread Cookies: A Buttery, Citrus-Infused Delight

Indulge in the bright, refreshing flavor of these homemade Orange Shortbread Cookies. Each bite offers a perfect blend of buttery crispness and vibrant citrus, making them an ideal treat for any occasion, from an elegant afternoon tea to a simple everyday snack. These delightful cookies are sure to brighten your day with their exquisite taste and charming appearance.

Adorned with tiny flecks of fresh orange zest, these cookies are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Their versatility shines throughout the year; serve them as a festive change of pace during the holidays, or let their vibrant flavors truly stand out during the sunnier months of spring and summer. This recipe brings a burst of sunshine into your kitchen and onto your plate, proving that simple ingredients can yield truly extraordinary results.

The Authentic Taste of Citrus Shortbread

What truly sets this orange shortbread recipe apart is its reliance on natural, authentic citrus flavor. There’s no need for artificial extracts or flavorings here; the rich, tangy essence comes directly from fresh orange zest and a splash of orange juice. We believe in letting the real fruit speak for itself, resulting in a depth of flavor in every single cookie that artificial additives simply cannot replicate. This commitment to genuine ingredients ensures a wonderfully aromatic and intensely flavorful shortbread that will impress even the most discerning palates.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Orange Shortbread Recipe

This recipe for homemade orange shortbread isn’t just about delicious cookies; it’s about an enjoyable and rewarding baking experience. Here’s why it’s bound to become a favorite in your kitchen:

• Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt for obscure items. This recipe calls for just a handful of basic pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. The shortbread itself uses essential baking ingredients, and the zesty orange icing requires only two components, making it incredibly accessible for any home baker.
• Straightforward Baking Process: Forget complicated techniques or specialized equipment. This recipe is designed with simplicity in mind. With basic steps like mixing, shaping, slicing, and baking, it’s perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Even if you’re a complete beginner, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and incredibly forgiving. It’s a fantastic way to build confidence in the kitchen!
• Perfect for Make-Ahead Baking: Planning a party or looking to get a head start on holiday treats? This recipe is incredibly convenient for advanced preparation. The cookie dough can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, allowing you to bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes. For even longer storage, you can freeze the dough logs for several weeks, ensuring you always have a batch of delicious cookies ready to go.

Gather Your Ingredients for Orange Shortbread Perfection

Crafting these delectable orange zest cookies requires a few fundamental ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that signature buttery flavor and crisp texture, complemented by a bright citrus glaze. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Buttery Shortbread Base:

Butter: You’ll need two sticks, which equals one cup, of softened unsalted butter. Butter is the star of shortbread, providing its characteristic rich flavor and tender crumb. Ensuring it’s properly softened is key for a smooth, homogenous dough.

Granulated Sugar: Half a cup of granulated sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s delicate crispness. It also helps in creaming with the butter to create a light and airy base.

Orange Zest: Two tablespoons of finely grated orange zest (typically from one large orange) are essential for infusing the cookies with that bright, aromatic orange flavor and beautiful flecks of color. Don’t skip this, as it provides the primary citrus essence without adding excess liquid.

All-Purpose Flour: Two cups of all-purpose flour form the structural foundation of these cookies. Measured correctly, it ensures the perfect balance between crispness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Baking Powder: Just one teaspoon of baking powder provides a slight lift, preventing the cookies from becoming too dense and ensuring a tender, flaky result as they bake.

Salt: A quarter teaspoon of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie, particularly the butter and orange. It truly makes the ingredients pop!

For the Zesty Orange Glaze:

Powdered Sugar: One and a half cups of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) create the smooth, sweet base for our icing. Its fine texture ensures a lump-free glaze.

Fresh Orange Juice: You’ll need two to three tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice. This not only gives the icing its lovely citrus punch but also helps achieve the perfect drizzling consistency. Start with two tablespoons and add more gradually until you reach your desired thickness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Orange Shortbread Cookies

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly buttery and zesty Orange Shortbread Cookies:

1. Crafting the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which is crucial for shortbread’s texture.

Next, gently fold in the fragrant orange zest. Ensure it’s evenly distributed throughout the buttery mixture.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined and a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies.

2. The Importance of Chilling:

Divide the freshly made dough into two equal halves. Place each half onto its own sheet of wax paper or parchment paper.

Using your hands, form each dough half into an 8-inch log. Try to make them as round as possible, although an oval shape works perfectly fine. Wrap each log tightly in the wax paper.

3. Chilling the Dough:

Transfer the wrapped dough logs to the refrigerator and chill them for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This chilling period is crucial for flavor development and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the dough in the freezer for about 30 minutes for a quicker chill.

4. Preparation for Baking:

Once the dough is adequately chilled, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.

Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chilled dough logs into uniform ¼-inch thick rounds. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure all cookies bake evenly.

5. Baking to Golden Perfection:

Arrange the sliced cookie dough on your prepared baking sheets, ensuring there’s at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for minimal spreading.

Bake on the top rack of your preheated oven for approximately 22-26 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges and set in the center. Avoid overbaking, as shortbread is meant to be pale.

Once baked, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool.

6. Applying the Signature Orange Glaze:

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the vibrant icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until a smooth, drizzling consistency is achieved. Add the orange juice gradually to control the thickness.

Once the cookies are entirely cool, spoon or drizzle the orange icing evenly over the top of each cookie. For a cleaner look, you can dip the top of each cookie into the icing.

Allow the iced cookies to sit flat until the glaze has fully set. This will prevent any stickiness and ensure a beautiful finish. Serve your exquisite orange shortbread cookies and savor every delightful bite!

ORANGE SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE

These Orange Shortbread Cookies are buttery, crisp, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor, making them ideal for afternoon tea or a cheerful treat any time of day.

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Course:
Cookies

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
ORANGE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Prep Time:

15
minutes

Cook Time:

22
minutes

Chill:

2
hours

Total Time:

2
hours
37
minutes

Servings:

20
cookies

Calories:

183
kcal

Author:

Jessica & Nellie

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Ingredients

Cookies

• 1
  cup
  butter
  (softened, 2 sticks)
• ½
  cup
  granulated sugar
• 2
  TBSP
  orange zest
• 2
  cups
  all-purpose flour
• 1
  tsp
  baking powder
• ¼
  tsp
  salt

Icing

• 1 ½
  cups
  powdered sugar
• 2-3
  TBSP
  orange juice

Instructions

1. Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the orange zest until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Divide the dough in half. On a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper, roll each half into an 8-inch log. Wrap the logs tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. For a quicker chill, place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough logs into uniform ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
6. Bake the cookies on the top rack for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
7. Transfer the baked cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Once cookies are cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until a smooth, drizzling consistency is reached. Spoon or drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies. Let them sit flat until the icing is set. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving:
1
cookie

|

Calories:
183
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
24
g

|

Protein:
1
g

|

Fat:
9
g

|

Saturated Fat:
6
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.4
g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g

|

Trans Fat:
0.4
g

|

Cholesterol:
24
mg

|

Sodium:
103
mg

|

Potassium:
41
mg

|

Fiber:
0.4
g

|

Sugar:
14
g

|

Vitamin A:
290
IU

|

Vitamin C:
2
mg

|

Calcium:
15
mg

|

Iron:
1
mg

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Expert Tips for Flawless Orange Shortbread

Don’t Skip the Chill Time for Perfect Shortbread

You might be tempted to rush the process, but chilling your cookie dough is a critical step for achieving the ideal shortbread texture and preventing excessive spreading. The cold allows the butter in the dough to solidify, ensuring the cookies maintain their shape and develop that wonderfully crisp, yet tender, crumb. Furthermore, chilling gives the flavors, especially the bright orange zest, more time to meld and intensify, resulting in a more delicious cookie. For best results, aim for at least 2 hours in the fridge, or even overnight if time allows. A quick 30-minute freeze can also work in a pinch!

Achieving Perfectly Softened Butter

Softened butter is essential for a smooth, homogenous cookie dough. It creams easily with sugar, incorporating air that contributes to the shortbread’s light texture. “Softened” doesn’t mean melted or greasy; it means butter that yields slightly when pressed, typically around 65°F (18°C). If you forgot to take your butter out in advance, here are a few quick tips:

• Countertop Method: Simply leave your butter sticks on the counter for about an hour before you plan to start baking.
• Warm Glass Technique: Slice your cold butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place them in a glass. Warm another glass with hot water (microwave for 30-60 seconds), then pour out the water. Immediately invert the warmed glass over the butter pieces for 10-15 minutes. The residual heat will gently soften the butter without melting it.
• Warm Towel Trick: Dampen a clean kitchen towel with warm water, wring it out well, and wrap your butter sticks (still in their wrappers) for a few minutes.
• Upside-Down Cup: Place the wrapped sticks of butter on your counter, then invert a warmed tall drinking glass over them for several minutes. This creates a small warm environment that helps the butter come to temperature.

Zesting Citrus Like a Pro

When zesting your oranges, use a microplane zester or the fine side of a box grater. Be sure to only grate the bright orange outer layer, avoiding the white pith underneath. The pith is bitter and can impart an unpleasant taste to your cookies. The zest contains all the aromatic oils that give these cookies their incredible citrus punch!

Baking for the Best Texture

Shortbread is traditionally a pale cookie, so avoid overbaking. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set. They will firm up considerably as they cool. Baking at a lower temperature (300°F) for a slightly longer time helps ensure an even bake without excessive browning, resulting in that classic shortbread snap.

Storage and Freezing Your Orange Shortbread Cookies

These iced orange shortbread cookies are a delight to enjoy, and proper storage ensures they remain fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.

Room Temperature Storage:

Once completely cooled and the icing has set, store your orange shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their crispness and delicious flavor for up to 5 days. For optimal freshness, a cookie jar or a sealed plastic container works perfectly.

Freezing Baked Cookies:

If you wish to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place the fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature. A crucial tip for iced cookies: it’s best to wait until after the cookies have thawed to apply the icing. Icing tends to absorb moisture and become sticky or dissolve as the cookies thaw, leading to a less-than-ideal presentation. If they are already iced, they are still safe to eat, but the texture of the icing might be compromised.

Freezing Dough Logs:

For ultimate convenience, freezing the dough logs is a fantastic option. Once you’ve formed and wrapped your dough logs as instructed in the recipe, you can place them directly into the freezer. They will keep well for several weeks. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer a frozen log to the refrigerator overnight to thaw slightly, or let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing and baking as usual. This allows for freshly baked cookies with minimal effort whenever a craving strikes!

Common Questions About Orange Shortbread Cookies

Why did my shortbread spread too much?

Excessive spreading is often due to the butter being too warm or the dough not being sufficiently chilled. Shortbread relies on cold butter to hold its shape during baking. Ensure your butter is softened but not melted before mixing, and always give your dough logs ample time to chill in the refrigerator or freezer. Overmixing the dough can also contribute to spreading by over-developing gluten.

Can I use lemon instead of orange?

Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily substitute lemon zest and lemon juice for the orange components to make a delightful batch of lemon shortbread cookies. Lime or even grapefruit zest could also work for a different citrus twist. Just be sure to use fresh citrus for the best flavor.

What’s the difference between shortbread and butter cookies?

While often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle distinction. Shortbread traditionally contains only three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour, in a specific ratio that makes it very tender and crumbly (“short”). Butter cookies, while also rich in butter, often include eggs or leavening agents like baking powder (as in this recipe, for a slight lift) and sometimes other flavorings, giving them a slightly different texture – often a bit firmer and less crumbly than classic shortbread, but still wonderfully rich and buttery.

On a more personal note, these cookies remind us of simple joys. Just recently, while taking baptism pictures for our handsome boy, we stumbled upon an amazing bullfrog! We couldn’t resist saying hello, and he even made a cameo in a few of our favorite pictures. It’s those unexpected moments of family fun that make life truly sweet, much like these cookies!

More Delightful Shortbread & Cookie Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with these orange shortbread cookies, you’ll be thrilled to discover other wonderful variations. Shortbread is a versatile cookie that takes well to many different flavor profiles. Expand your baking repertoire with these other delicious shortbread and buttery cookie recipes:

• CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES: A sweet and fruity twist.
• PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES: Perfect for the holiday season with a refreshing kick.
• COCONUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES: Tropical notes in a classic cookie.
• WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTER COOKIES: A rich and creamy indulgence.
• DANISH BUTTER COOKIES: The traditional favorite, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
• LEMON SLICE & BAKE COOKIES: Another fantastic citrus option, easy to prepare.
• DANISH WEDDING COOKIES: Delicate, nutty, and dusted with powdered sugar.
• SLICE AND BAKE VANILLA BUTTER COOKIES: A versatile base for many flavors.
• SANTA’S WHISKERS COOKIES: Festive and fun, often rolled in sprinkles or coconut.
• CHERRY BUTTER COOKIES: A lovely combination of fruity and buttery flavors.
• ESPRESSO BUTTER COOKIES: For coffee lovers, a rich and aromatic treat.
• PEPPERMINT BUTTER COOKIES: Cool and crisp, another holiday favorite.

These Orange Shortbread Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to create something truly special in your kitchen. With their simple preparation, vibrant flavor, and delightful texture, they promise to be a beloved addition to your baking repertoire. Enjoy them with a cup of tea, share them with loved ones, or simply savor a moment of citrus-infused bliss any time of day!