Description
Delight in these aromatic Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with a tangy orange glaze. Soft, buttery, and lightly spiced with cardamom, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or an everyday sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to infuse the dough with flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cardamom, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined to form a smooth dough without overworking.
- Shape and Roll Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a disk. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness to prepare for cutting.
- Cut Cookies: Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut the dough into your desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 12–14 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack to firm up before glazing.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice, and 1 teaspoon orange zest until smooth. Adjust with more orange juice as needed to create a drizzling consistency.
- Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled cookies and allow it to set completely before serving to add a bright citrus finish.
Notes
- You can substitute lemon juice and zest in place of orange for a different but equally delicious glaze flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
