Introduction

When you are looking for a tasty treat that has a nice mix of sweet and nutty flavors, cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies should be your choice. These cookies are enchanting and they not just give a crunch that is satisfying but also they provide a burst of color and flavor that is vibrant in every bite. The dried cranberries have a tart flavor that goes well with the rich buttery essence of traditional shortbread and it is also that the roasted pistachios add a nice texture alongside their nutty taste making it more enjoyable.

No matter if you are getting ready for a holiday party or having a nice afternoon tea or just enjoying your time at home, these recipes can help you make the perfect batch of shortbread cookies with cranberry and pistachio. Come with us while we look at five amazing variations which fit different tastes and preferences so there is something that everyone will enjoy. Prepare yourself to amaze both family and friends while you make your cookie skills better with these amazing treats that will make your mouth water!

Recipe 1: Classic Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

If you seek a treat that combines the sweet and tart taste of cranberries with the rich flavor of pistachios, then Classic Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies are one you shouldn’t miss. These cookies are really great when it’s the holiday season or any kind of festive gathering and making them is easier than you might think. To make a delicious batch of cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies you should follow this easy recipe.

Ingredients:

• One cup of Land O’Lakes Unsalted Butter which has to be softened
• 1/2 cup of Granulated Sugar
• 2 cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup of Pistachios, chopped
• Half a cup of Dried Cranberries that has been chopped up.
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of Salt
• One fourth of a cup with Powdered Sugar is needed for dusting purpose.

Baking Steps:

1. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit which is 175 degrees Celsius and at the same time get a baking sheet ready by lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a big bowl for mixing, you should cream the softened Land O’Lakes Unsalted Butter along with Granulated Sugar until it is all light and fluffy mixed.
3. Slowly you should add the All-Purpose Flour and while mixing it just until everything is combined. Its important that you do not overmix it.
4. Gently mix the chopped Pistachios with the chopped Dried Cranberries and also add in Vanilla Extract then Salt.
5. After the dough has been formed it should be turned out onto a floured surface then it needs to be shaped into either a log or a square which is roughly an inch thick.
6. You should wrap the dough with plastic wrap and then put it in the fridge for minimum 30 minutes so that it gets firm.
7. Cut the dough that is cold into cookies which should be 1/4-inch thick and then you arrange them on a baking sheet that you prepared.
8. You would need to bake in the oven that has been preheated for around 12 to 15 minutes or until edges turn lightly golden.
9. You should let the cookies cool all the way before you dust them with Powdered Sugar.

You can be sure that these classic cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies will be a favorite among friends and family. Savor these rich buttery and nutty treats with your most loved hot drink as you relax!

Recipe 2: Vegan Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Looking for a tasty treat that is vegan-friendly could lead you to these vegan cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies. They are just what you need if you want something delicious. Even though they are made without animal products, the rich buttery flavor that is typical of traditional shortbread still delivers in each bite. Let’s jump into the ways we prepare things and the ingredients also.

First you need a couple main substitutions so that the cookies stay completely plant-based.

• Vegan Butter: Choose to use brands such as Earth Balance Buttery Sticks when you want that creamy texture which reminds you of standard butter.
• Powdered Sugar: To ensure it is free from bone char often used in processing, organic powdered sugar should be used.
• Flour: Great results can be achieved with all-purpose flour but if it’s necessary a gluten-free blend can be used instead.
• Cranberries: Just the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness can be added by dried cranberries like those coming from Ocean Spray.
• Pistachios: You should search for pistachios without salt because this will make sure your cookies are not too salty and allows the flavors to come out more.

Here is a guide that shows you step by step how to prepare vegan shortbread cookies with cranberries and pistachios.

1. In a big mixing bowl, you should blend together 1 cup of softened Earth Balance and 1 cup of organic powdered sugar until it is smooth.
2. Slowly blend 2 cups of all-purpose flour into the mix and then you should continue until a soft dough is formed.
3. You should fold in 1 cup of chopped dried cranberries together with 1 cup of chopped unsalted pistachios.
4. You should take the dough and make it into logs then wrap them with parchment paper and put it in the fridge for a minimum of one hour.
5. When they are chilled you should slice the logs into rounds of 1/4-inch and then put them on a baking sheet that has parchment paper lined on it.
6. You should bake it at 350°F which is 180°C for around 12 to 15 minutes or maybe till the edges are a light golden color.

Making these cookies is easy they are an inviting thing for any gathering or a tasty snack just for you. Savor the delicious vegan cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies and don’t forget to spread the joy with your friends and family as well!

Recipe 3: Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

If you want to make your cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies even better then adding a chocolate dip that is rich is definitely the best choice. A mix of tart cranberries that are sweet crunchy pistachios together with smooth chocolate it creates a treat that’s really hard to resist. To have perfect chocolate-dipped cookies you just need to follow these easy steps.

Before you can begin, the next ingredients will be needed by you:.

• This is a batch of cookie dough for shortbread with cranberry and pistachio that I made based on recipes I done before.
• Eight ounces of Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips is what you will need.
• Optional: Sea salt for sprinkling

You can find some tips for melting chocolate so it keeps smoothness and glossiness.

1. Use a double boiler: You should take a pot and fill it with some water like couple of inches deep then heat it until it starts to show little bubbles. On the top you need to put a heatproof bowl so that it is not touching the water at all. Using this way it helps to make sure the chocolate doesn’t burn.
2. Microwave method: If that is how you like it you can use a bowl that is safe for microwave melting the chocolate. The heating should be done in intervals of 30 seconds while you stir in between until it becomes fully melted and smooth so that your chocolate dip will be created.

As your chocolate gets ready you should then dip the cookies.

1. You should let the shortbread cookies with cranberry and pistachio cool down all the way after they bake.
2. You should grab one end of each cookie and then half dip it into the melted chocolate.
3. Lightly shake any extra chocolate off and then put the cookies onto parchment paper.
4. If you want to add some, sprinkle a little sea salt on top before the chocolate has set.

Allow the chocolate to harden either at room temperature or if you want it to set faster put it in the refrigerator. What you will get at the end is a small but exquisite cookie that shows off the tasty flavors of cranberries and pistachios and is also complemented beautifully by the richness of chocolate. Indulge in those yum chocolate-dipped cookies made with cranberries and pistachios. You will totally love them! They make great gifts or are suitable for gatherings on holidays.

Recipe 4: Lemon Zest Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Prepare yourself to lift your cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies to another level because of the bright touch that lemon zest adds! Not only does this recipe make the cookies’ flavor better but it also brings a refreshing twist that balances both the nutty pistachios and the tart cranberries. How about we dive into the way we can make this tasty treat come alive?

To start this up you will need some lemons that are fresh. When you choose lemons you should find ones that feel firm and have a bright yellow skin because they will have more zest and juice. To zest a lemon in the right way, you should use a good zester like the Microplane Classic Zester. Simply take the lemon and grate it on the surface but be careful because you have to avoid that bitter white pith that lies underneath the skin.

Let me tell you how you can prepare these lemon zest cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies.

1. To make this recipe you will need to gather the following ingredients: 1 cup of unsalted butter which is like Kerry Gold, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and also 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Don’t forget 1/2 cup of chopped pistachios and then 1 cup of dried cranberries plus the zest from 2 lemons as well.
2. Preparation: In a bowl for mixing, the butter should be creamed together with powdered sugar. Flour is added gradually alongside lemon zest, pistachios and cranberries, and a dough must be mixed until it starts to form.
3. Baking: Form the dough into logs then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least one hour. After they have chilled, cut the logs into rounds and bake them on sheets that are lined with parchment paper at 350°F till they turn light golden.

Not only does the fresh lemon zest give an invigorating aroma but it also brings out the taste in a way that makes these cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies simply irresistible. You can either serve them warm or you can store in a container that is airtight so that you have a tasty snack during the week.

Recipe 5: Gluten-Free Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Feeling like you want something tasty yet need to skip gluten, these Gluten-Free Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies could just be what you are looking for. This recipe is easy to follow and it uses good gluten-free flour choices which they won’t affect taste or texture negatively. Let’s jump into the ingredients and how we mix them together!

When it comes to flour you got some really great choices that are there for you.

• 1. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour: With this all-purpose blend you can get that classic shortbread texture and it is perfect without having gluten in it.
• 2. King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour: This flour is another great option because it easily can replace regular flour in many recipes.
• 3. Mama’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: An option that is artisanal more and also works well for both cookies and shortbreads.

Besides the flour you will also need unsalted butter and sugar as well as finely chopped dried cranberries and shelled pistachios plus a little pinch of salt. Begin by mixing the butter with the sugar together until it becomes fluffy. This process is very important to make sure your cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies are light but still rich in flavor.

You should gradually put the gluten-free flour that you have chosen into the butter mixture and blend it until it is just mixed. The dough must come together in a nice way and if it appears too crumbly then adding a tablespoon of water or even an egg can help with binding it. Next you should gently fold in the cranberries together with the pistachios while making sure they are evenly mixed in the dough.

Chilling the dough at least one hour is needed before it can be rolled out and cut into the shapes you want. You should bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around 12 to 15 minutes or until they become lightly golden on the edges. You should let them cool first then you can enjoy the flavors and textures that mix perfectly in the homemade cookies that are cranberry pistachio shortbread!

Conclusion

To sum up the tasty realm of cookies called cranberry pistachio shortbread there is so many tempting kinds available which makes sure that a recipe can be found for any taste. Classic buttery flavors and spicy versions they both make each recipe stand out by using unique ingredients and techniques which enhance the taste that is rich of cranberries along with the crunchiness of pistachios.

No matter if you are just starting out in baking or you have cooked for many years these recipes encourage you to discover your creative side while being in the kitchen. We think that you should give each version a try and then change them to match what you like best. Enjoy the happiness that comes from creating and sharing these cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies with family and friends for every single bite will surely be too hard to resist!

Sources

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• Source 2: Learn more about cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies