These slice and bake cookies are flavored with orange zest, vanilla, cranberries and pecans. Very quick and easy, and you can even freeze the dough. They make the ideal holiday cookie!
Well, I brought you a healthy(ish) recipe on Monday, so today it is back to cookies. I can’t help myself, the holidays just make me want to bake. As I mentioned last week, there are three cookies I NEED to make every Christmas. I already shared the Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies that make that list (the third one will be coming up later this month!). Today I am bringing to you these Cranberry Orange and Pecan Shortbread Cookies. Now, normally I am all about chocolate when it comes to dessert. And I am very firmly in the anti-nut camp when it comes to cookies. Don’t you dare put walnuts in my cookies! But I have to say, I really like the pecans in this cookie. Not only do they offer a good texture, but the flavor of pecans is so great, and it works really well in this cookie. And I don’t have to tell you how great cranberries are, right?
These cookies are pretty un-fussy. The most time consuming part is the chilling time, but other than that you just mix everything together, shape them into logs, then slice and bake. You can freeze the dough too, which means you can make these ahead!
I started making these a few years ago, and they quickly became a favorite with my family and friends – my BFF requests them every year (P.S. Sarah, coming soon, I promise). I adapted the recipe just slightly from a Martha Stewart recipe. One day I decided to add orange zest, and seriously WOW. The orange zest makes this cookie, in my opinion. I love the flavor of orange and cranberry together, and combined with the buttery, vanilla cookie it is just magic, I tell you.
A few tips: do be sure to chill these for at least two hours. If the dough gets warm it is much harder to cut them and they won’t hold their shape. Also, be sure to slice them all the same thickness. If you slice some thinner than others, the thinner ones will get brown and crunchy (which, maybe you are into that, but I don’t find it ideal). I prefer to slice them a little on the thicker side because they stay a bit softer. As you can see in this photo, the cookies in the back were a little thinner, so they browned more than the cookies in front.
How are you doing with holiday preparations? Did you finish your Christmas shopping? To be honest, I am THE WORST at finishing things on time. I rarely get packages out on time, and I find myself shopping on December 23rd like rest of the crazies. Every year I tell myself I’m going to get things done early, and every year I totally don’t. So, I’m reminding myself that is is December 9th and Christmas is in fifteen days. TWO WEEKS, you guys. Luckily I just baked another batch of these cookies, so at least I have something ready to be sent out (now, actually going to the post office? That is a different story).
Cranberry Orange and Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- zest of one orange
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add milk, vanilla and orange zest, mix to combine.
- Gradually add flour, salt, cranberries and pecans, beat until combined.
- Divide dough into two equal pieces. Shape each into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Tightly wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Slice log into 1/4 inch slices and arrange on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, until edges are golden.
Notes
If the dough gets too soft it will be difficult to slice and will not hold its shape.
Nutrition
Adapted from Martha Stewart
If you like this recipe, I would love it if you would pin it! And if you are looking for more holiday recipes, follow me on Pinterest!
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Irene says
These came out beautifully! Didn’t change a thing!
Meghan says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Judy kerr says
Made double batch, easy recipe, now added to our Christmas cookie list.
Meghan says
Wonderful, SO glad you loved them!
Katie says
Just found this recipe.
Yum yum yum!
Family loved them!
Meghan says
I’m so glad you loved them Katie!
Vicki says
I am not going to just talk about how good this recipe looks but how delicious they really are!!! A friend had made them and I just had to have the recipe. She shared your site and now I have made 3 batches of these cookies. I am even making them to take for a cookie swap. One addition, dip one half of the cookie in white chocolate!!!!
Meghan says
Hi Vicki – I am so glad to hear that, thank you! Great idea about the white chocolate!
Zoya says
What is the texture like for these? Is it very buttery and crumbly or is it firm and a little soft?
Meghan says
Hi Zoya, they are more buttery and crumbly but they can be soft if you under bake them a bit.
Violet Moscovici says
I am baking them now!!…wondering if the cookies will make the Christmas…lol
Meghan says
So great to hear Violet! They ususally don’t last very long in my house!
Sarah says
Belated is our TRADITION. And don’t you ruin it. Yours aren’t even wrapped yet. 😉
Sarah says
Yaaaaay!! Yay yay yay. Now that I’m on break and catching up on your blog I just ruined the not surprise. xo~S
Meghan says
Coookiess. Except they will get there after Christmas because I suck :/ <3
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
These are absolutely perfect! Gosh they look delicious. Pinning for Christmas gifts! Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party xx
Meghan says
Thank you so much Lucy, and thanks for the pin!
Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says
These shortbread look delicious, Meghan! Love the addition of cranberries, orange and pecans. Such a yummy combo! 🙂
Meghan says
Thank you so much Jess!
Katie says
So strange, I was just thinking of making pecan, orange and raisin cookies the other day. Great minds think alike 😉
These look so yummy!!! I love pecans in cookies.
Katie xoxo
Meghan says
Thank you Katie!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Don’t these look spectacular. All my favorite flavors in one cookie! I do love nuts in my cookies, but pecans are my favorite!
Meghan says
I agree Kathy, Pecans are the best! Thanks so much!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
Slice and bake cookies are my absolute favorite! They are so easy and satisfying!! These shortbread cookies would be a perfect holiday gift! 😀 Love the cran-orange combo dear.
Meghan says
Thanks so much Lauren!
Ashley says
Shortbread is an absolute must at our house during Christmas! Love love love this flavor! Ha! I am soooo behind this year with all my Christmas stuff. I may be freaking out slightly! lol
Meghan says
Thank you Ashley! And don’t freak out, I am right there with you. We still have two weeks! 🙂
E.A. says
They look scrumptious !!
I am looking forward to making these & honestly all my gifting cookies have seemed to end up at my Hubby’s office!! No crumbs make it home, so I hear your Dear, Mr. Briar, & really hope to share these delicious treats as gifts!!
Great combo of flavors~❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meghan says
Haha, sounds like our situation! Thank you!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Ha! I actually haven’t done any christmas shopping yet simply because my bank account is low but I’m planning on making and giving everyone cookies. I’m gonna try out this recipe, because it sounds delicious.
Meghan says
Yay! Thanks Nicole, can’t wait to hear how they turn out! And I think giving away cookies is better than gifts anyway. Everyone loves cookies, no one ever wants to return them. 🙂
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix says
I think the argument could be made that shortbread cookies are the perfect cookie. Though certainly made more perfect with the addition of cranberries, pecans and orange zest 🙂 Seriously, I can practically smell these little beauties right now and that makes me pretty happy. Also, I am nowhere near done with Christmas shopping and I can’t believe there are only 2 weeks left until the big day!! Actually I have to have mine done sooner because we go out of town for the holidays and everything needs to be done before that. Ugh. And what is it about going to the post office that just feels like basically the worst errand you could possibly run? I always put it off until the last minute. You know, until I have to pay extra for it to get there on time 😉
Meghan says
Thank you Stephanie! Yes, the post office is THE WORST. I think it is my least favorite errand. So I totally end up having to pay extra too. Good luck getting everything ready early!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
Delicious looking stack of cookies! Perfect recipe for the holiday season!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Melanie!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Get out! I made cranberry shortbread cookies this week too. Aren’t they the greatest? Loving the addition of orange and pecan – brilliant! Pinned these beauties!
Meghan says
Great Minds! 🙂 I do love using cranberries this time of year especially. Can’t wait to check out your cookies!
My Dish is Bomb says
I LOVE love love love these slice and bake shortbread cookies. They are seriously the best thing to make during the holidays because it’s so fast to whip up a batch and have fresh cookies for guests! And all the flavours sound amazing together!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Katy! They are seriously so easy!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Slice n bake cookies are the best, and you flavored these so wonderfully! They sound delicious.
Meghan says
Thank you so much Rachel!
Annie says
Oh nom nom nom, crumbs down my shirt. I freaking love shortbread and its addictive qualities. I’m with you in the last-minute gift camp. It’s in the mail. Amazon had it on backorder. I didn’t know if you already had one. Et al
Meghan says
Yep, exactly. I swear I try! Thanks Annie!
Mr Briar says
Ummm, excuse me… What post office. I want them in MY ofiice, not some POST office…
Meghan says
If they make it to your office! 🙂