Orange Shortbread Recipe
Description:
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Orange Shortbread with this recipe from lovewithrecipes.com. This sweet treat combines the buttery richness of traditional shortbread with a burst of citrusy orange flavor, making it perfect for any occasion, from weeknight desserts to festive holiday gatherings.
Recipe Overview:
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: Makes 4 dozen cookies
- Cuisine: Scottish/European
- Category: Candy
- Keywords: Dessert, Fruit, Scottish, European, Christmas, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 1481.9
- Fat: 93.3g
- Saturated Fat: 58.5g
- Cholesterol: 244mg
- Sodium: 836.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 149.4g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Sugar: 53.4g
- Protein: 14.8g
Ingredients:
- 4 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons grated orange rind
- 1 egg white (for brushing)
- Candied cherries (for decoration)
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or greasing lightly.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, brown sugar, and grated orange rind. Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Incorporate Butter: Add the butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the mixture until a smooth dough forms.
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Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm it up. This step helps the dough hold its shape when rolled out.
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Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use a rolling pin to ensure the dough is evenly flattened.
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Cut into Shapes: Use a floured cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the dough. Traditional shapes like rounds or rectangles work well, but feel free to get creative with your cookie cutter selection.
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Decorate and Brush: Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Brush the tops of the cookies with beaten egg white, which will give them a glossy finish when baked. Optionally, decorate each cookie with a candied cherry for added color and flavor.
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Bake: Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
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Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Serve and enjoy these delightful Orange Shortbread cookies with your favorite hot beverage or as a sweet treat any time of day!
Tips:
- For a stronger orange flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract to the dough along with the grated orange rind.
- To save time, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just let it sit at room temperature for a bit before rolling it out.
- Experiment with different shapes and decorations to make these cookies perfect for any occasion, from everyday snacking to holiday celebrations.
Conclusion:
With its buttery richness and zesty orange flavor, this Orange Shortbread recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are bound to impress with their irresistible taste and charming appearance. Enjoy the process of baking and sharing these delightful treats with your loved ones! 🍊🍪
