Description
These delightful Orange-Pecan Spice Shortbread Cookies are infused with warm spices and zesty orange flavor, topped with a layer of jam and sparkling sugar for a festive touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat anytime!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Orange-Pecan Spice Shortbread Cookies:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces
For the Jam & Sparkling Sugar Topping:
- Homemade or store-bought plum, raspberry, or strawberry jam
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
- Sparkling white sugar (such as Wilton’s), for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Shortbread Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, cloves, chopped nuts, sugar, and orange zest. Using a pastry blender or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Knead the dough until smooth, forming it into a ball and flattening it slightly into a disk.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shapes and transfer the cut cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
- Add the Jam Topping: Spread a light layer of jam on top of each cookie, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are set.
- Add the Sparkle: Lightly sprinkle the cookies with granulated sugar and a dusting of sparkling white sugar.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Be careful not to overload the cookies with jam to avoid overflow during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg