Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe
These Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze offer a delightful blend of warm spices and citrusy sweetness. The buttery shortbread is infused with aromatic ground cardamom and fresh orange zest, then perfectly complemented by a smooth, tangy orange glaze. Ideal for festive occasions or as a flavorful everyday treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cardamom, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and salt throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, ensuring a light texture for the cookies.
- Add Flavorings and Combine: Mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest into the butter mixture. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined to form a dough.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and enhancing the cookie texture.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness, then cut into your desired shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown, indicating they are done.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack to firm up and avoid breakage during glazing.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and slightly runny. Adjust consistency with more juice or powdered sugar if necessary.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Let the glaze set before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a more intense cardamom flavor, you can toast the whole cardamom pods and grind them fresh.
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best dough consistency.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the amount of orange juice or add more powdered sugar.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze before glazing, then glaze and thaw before serving.
Keywords: Cardamom Shortbread Cookies, Orange Glaze Cookies, Spiced Shortbread, Citrus Glazed Cookies, Holiday Cookies
