Description
Delight in these zesty Orange Shortbread cookies, featuring a perfect balance of buttery crumbly texture and fresh orange flavor. Optionally dipped in rich dark or semi-sweet chocolate, these elegant treats are ideal for afternoon tea or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Optional
- 8 ounces dark or semi-sweet chocolate, melted for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Orange Sugar: In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar with the fresh orange zest, rubbing them together with your fingers until combined and fragrant.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, orange sugar mixture, vanilla extract, and salt at medium speed until creamy and well combined, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually mix in the flour until just incorporated. The dough will form large crumbs that hold together when pressed.
- Form Logs: Scrape the dough onto a clean surface and gently bring it together into a ball, avoiding overworking. Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a 5-inch log. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the wrapped dough logs for at least 1 hour. For a rounder shape, remove after 20 minutes, gently roll the logs to smooth flat sides, then return to the refrigerator for the remaining time.
- Preheat Oven and Slice: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough logs into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 15 minutes until they are very lightly golden around the edges. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Chocolate Dip: Once cooled, dip the cookies partially into the melted dark or semi-sweet chocolate and let set on parchment paper until firm.
Notes
- If using salted butter, omit the added salt or use 1/4 teaspoon salt for enhanced flavor.
- Nutrition info excludes optional chocolate; dipping adds approximately 60 calories per cookie.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate if chocolate dipped or in warm climates.
- Freeze cookies in a single layer then transfer to a freezer-safe container; they keep for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 127 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
