Orange Glazed Shortbread
This melt in your mouth Shortbread Cookie Recipe is made even more delicious with the addition of a simple orange glaze and a sprinkle of chopped almonds. It is the perfect addition to your holiday baking!
You can’t celebrate the holidays without cookies, at least that’s what I say. From my Mom’s Shortbread to her Crescents to one of our favourite Bar Cookies.
So adding a simple Orange glaze to an easy Shortbread recipe I thought would be the perfect idea. We loved it and I hope you do too!
Of course I can’t forget some Traditional Italian cookies such as Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Wine Cookies, Canestrelli or even some delicious Almond Cookies.
But going back to my absolute favourite Christmas Cookies, Shortbread …
How to make Shortbread with an Orange Glaze
- In the bowl of the mixer cream together the butter, icing sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add the whisked flour and salt a little at a time until combined.
- Press the dough onto an 9 inch pie pan, I like to use a springform pan.
- Flatten the dough with either the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Prick the dough with a fork.
- Make 10 slices halfway down (not all the way through) the dough.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then bake in a low oven for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the shortbread from the oven, with a sharp knife, again cut halfway through the wedges and then let the cookies cool completely.
- Remove the cookie from the pan and drizzle or pour the glaze over the cookie, sprinkle with ground almonds cut and serve.
How to know when Shortbread is done
You can tell it is done when it starts to turn a slight golden brown along the edges, that is the time to remove it from the oven, any longer and it will be over baked.
Should Shortbread dough be chilled?
The dough should be chilled for at least 30 minutes to overnight. This will help solidify the butter, which keeps the cookies from spreading too much.
It also helps to enhance the flavours to give you the best tasting shortbread.
How to store Shortbread
Shortbread should be stored in an airtight container, single layer, with parchment paper between each layer. It will keep up to a week at room temperature.
You can also freeze the cookies for three to four weeks in an airtight freezer safe container or bag. Be sure to cool the cookies completely after baking before freezing.
So if you are like me and you love shortbread why not give this Simple Orange Glazed Shortbread a try and let me know how it goes. Happy Baking!
Orange Glazed Shortbread
Ingredients
Shortbread Dough
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup icing / powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 pinch salt*
I use salted butter, if you use unsalted then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
ORANGE GLAZE
- 1 1/2 cups icing / powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon cream or milk*
- 1/4-1/2 cup chopped almonds
*You could probably use 3 tablespoons of orange juice if desired instead of milk or cream.
Instructions
Shortbread Dough
- In a medium bowl sift together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- In the mixer with the flat beater beat together the butter, icing sugar and vanilla until creamy about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, beat just until combined. Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently form into a ball.
- Place the dough on a lightly greased 9 inch spring form tart pan or a cake pan lined with parchment paper. Flatten the dough evenly with the bottom of a glass (lightly floured) or the palm of your hand. Score the dough well with the tongs of a fork and make 10 slices halfway through the dough (do not cut all the way down).
- Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
- Pre-heat oven to 300F (150C).
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes then again cut halfway through the cookie, let cool completely, remove from the pan (if using a springform pan then remove the bottom) and either drizzle or pour the glaze over the cookie, sprinkle with chopped almonds. Slice and serve.
ORANGE GLAZE
- In a medium bowl whisk together until smooth the icing sugar, juice and milk or cream. Add more or less cream depending on desired thickness.
Thank you for being so generous to share your recipes. I’m 75 years old and have done a lot of baking.but never made shortbread. Looking forward to it! Kay
Hi Kay, thanks so much, so glad you like the recipes. I hope you enjoy the shortbread. Let me know how it goes. Take care.
Looks really nice. Would love to try it out!
I’m a little bit worried though: about the ‘slice and serve’ part – how will I know where to slice? Will I be able to see through the glaze?
Hi Idan, yes you should be able to see through the glaze, I was able to cut it no problem, make sure the glaze isn’t extremely thick. Hope that helps, let me know.
Love the cookies and all
Hi Liz, thanks so much. Take care.
Rosemary,
This shortbread recipe is so simple to make but it tastes anything but. Literally came together and into the fridge in 10 minutes. I used all orange juice for the glaze and the flavor was incredible. There was no mistaking that it was orange. Instead of nuts, I opted to grate a small amount of the rind onto the top and WOW…….it looked stunning. Just an all around lovely dessert. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Vicki, thanks so much, glad you liked it and great idea with orange rind, I bet it did look stunning. Have a great Sunday.