Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies with a hint of orange zest. Perfect for the holidays!
While nibbling any cookie, I always think to myself, “You know what would make this even better? …More butter and a touch of salt!”
In my mind, chocolate chip cookies would be better as crispy shortbread. Oatmeal cookies would taste better if they had more butter and less (meaning no) eggs.
Macaroons? Yep, they are in desperate need of butter.
You can’t blame me for going a little overboard on the butter cookies this time of year. After all, I was programmed to desire them once the weather turns cold.
Come December 1st, I start checking the mailbox for those metal tins of shortbread rings with course sugar crystals on top. Surely someone will send me one.
As I set off to bake the masses of Christmas cookies we will deliver to our friends over the next few weeks, I have one single agenda. Turn all cookies into shortbread.
You think I’m kidding?
Today I’m sharing an old favorite shortbread recipe, Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread.
It’s prepared in the traditional pan method. I’ve ramped up the flavor a bit by adding orange zest, mini chocolate chips, and cranberries.
Several years ago we had a shortbread-athon recipe testing day before the holidays, creating several new combinations, and our Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread was the standout.
I hope you enjoy them. If not, send them to me.
Merry Shortbread Christmas!
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. With an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and orange zest until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, and beat until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and cranberries. Divide the dough into two pieces. Press them evenly into two 8-inch round cake pans. Bake for 11-12 minutes, until golden around the edges.
- With a small sharp knife, score the shortbread into 8 wedges per pan.
- Allow the shortbread to cool in the pans another 10 minutes. Then flip out of the pans the gently separate into wedges.
Thanks! I'm going to bake these TODAY!! :) Will post a picture of them! xxx
Hey April~ I did mean fresh orange zest. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've seen the dried kind around here either! 1 tsp. = about a medium orange.
oh and a question, can you use fresh orange zest? as they don't sell the dried kind here. If so how much?
I tend to steer away from traditional British baking, seeing as I'm actually IN Britain, and rather wow my friends and neighbours with the almighty chocolate chip cookie……however, I think I am going to make this for Christmas, and may even take some over to our neighbours house.
I just adore shortbread, and this is so perfect for this time of year…looks delicious!
in scotland, you get a year of good luck if you wake up on New Year's to find shortbread on your front step.
if anyone needs the address of my front step …
Best to you and yours this holiday. Cheers!
That looks wonderful.
However, the post needs one more picture: an empty plate with a single crumb on it! :)
These sound heavenly, Sommer! Butter and salt makes everything better, right? I love that you included both cranberry and orange with the chocolate chips. I've never made thin shortbread like this…will have to try!
I am crazy for shortbread. Key lime and coconut is my favorite flavor combination. The chocolate and cranberries are so festive, and just right for this time of year. I know I will love these!
I just put out everything this morning so I could make shortbread when I got home from work.. I may have to make a batch now with your additions! thanks for sharing :)
The shortbread looks so elegant cut into triangles!
That's a great variation of shortbread… I'm hungry now.
Good for you! I mean – shortbread is the quintessential Christmas cookies and everything DOES taste better with butter… and these look incredible! Love the idea.
YUM!
:)
Valerie
love love shortbread, did I say love..I love your festive creation…yum sommer..I will have to try this for my hubbys holiday work party!!
sweetlife
These shortbread cookies look amazing. I love the flavor combination!!
Oh, you are not alone! More butter – always! Salt – YES! And no eggs – wonderful!! I adore shortbread too (more than regular cookies *shhhhhh*) and with chocolate, orange and cranberries, it's just genius!!!
Mmmmm…cranberry and orange….I absolutely love this combination, and adding chocolate chips to it is genius. They look lovely. I should definitely bake some cookies this week. Have a great week Sommer.
I love shortbread!! I never thought of making it this way, the cranberries are such a wonderful additon! You really make it look easy, I'm going to have to make it over break!
Cheers
Dennis