Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies combine the richness of a classic dough with bright dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios. The dough comes together quickly and slices cleanly after chilling, making them simple to bake and easy to share.
Ingredients
FOR THE DOUGH
- 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup 90g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups 280g all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- ½ cup shelled pistachios roughly chopped
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp granulated sugar for a slightly sweeter dough
Instructions
- CREAM THE BUTTER AND SUGAR: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.
- ADD VANILLA: Mix in the vanilla extract and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even blending.
- MIX IN DRY INGREDIENTS: Add the flour and salt. Mix on low speed just until combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky; avoid overmixing.
- FOLD IN CRANBERRIES AND PISTACHIOS: Use a spatula or clean hands to gently fold in the chopped cranberries and pistachios until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- SHAPE INTO LOGS: Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or freeze if baking later.
- SLICE AND BAKE: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough logs into ½-inch thick rounds and arrange on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- BAKE: Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling is essential for clean slicing and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- For added texture, lightly press extra chopped pistachios or cranberries onto the tops of the cookies before baking.