Description
Delight in the fragrant and buttery Cardamom Shortbread Cookies enhanced with a zesty orange glaze. These crisp and tender cookies blend warm cardamom spice with a bright citrus finish, perfect for an elegant tea time or festive treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cardamom, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix butter and vanilla: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with the vanilla extract until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together into a smooth consistency without overworking it.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches of space between them. Gently flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass or your fingers to create uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more orange juice to thin.
- Glaze the cookies: Drizzle the prepared orange glaze evenly over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag.
- Set the glaze: Allow the glazed cookies to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes so the glaze can set properly before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best cookie texture.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of cardamom based on your spice preference.
- The glaze consistency can be tailored by adding more powdered sugar to make it thicker or more orange juice for a runnier glaze.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can substitute orange zest and juice with lemon for a citrus variation.
