Description
These Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze combine the warm, aromatic flavor of cardamom with a bright, citrusy orange glaze. Perfectly buttery and tender, these cookies offer a delightful balance of sweet and spice, making them an excellent treat for any occasion or holiday.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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 the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cardamom, and salt until well combined.
- Cream butter and vanilla: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and creamy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Combine dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture and mix until the dough comes together evenly without streaks of flour.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow space for spreading, then gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingers to form discs.
- Bake cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still tender.
- Cool cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents breakage and ensures they set properly.
- Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and well combined. Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more orange juice for thinness as desired.
- Glaze cookies: Drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the cooled shortbread cookies. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes at room temperature before serving to allow it to harden slightly.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- You can substitute cardamom with cinnamon or nutmeg for a different spice profile.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
- For a stronger orange flavor, add additional orange zest to the glaze.
- Chilling the dough briefly before shaping can help prevent spreading if desired.