Zesty Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe

Cardamom shortbread cookies bring warmth and sophistication to classic sweet treats, elevating a traditional recipe with unexpected aromatic depth.

Fragrant spices dance through buttery dough, creating an irresistible sensory experience that tantalizes taste buds.

These delicate cookies offer a perfect balance between crisp texture and rich, mellow flavors that whisper elegant comfort.

Subtle hints of exotic spice mingle with classic buttery notes, reinventing an ordinary cookie into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions inspire this delightful dessert, blending cultural influences with timeless baking techniques.

Intricate yet simple, these cookies represent a sophisticated approach to home baking that feels both familiar and adventurous.

Each bite promises a moment of pure culinary pleasure that connects tradition with innovation.

Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze for a Sweet and Spiced Finish

• Elevate Everyday Baking: These cardamom shortbread cookies transform ordinary baking into a luxurious experience with minimal effort, delivering sophisticated flavors that feel like a gourmet treat.
• Sensational Spice Symphony: Ground cardamom brings warm, aromatic complexity to classic shortbread, creating a delightful twist that tantalizes taste buds with its unique, slightly sweet and herbal profile.
• Quick Elegance in Minutes: This recipe offers restaurant-quality results in under an hour, making it perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings or elegant entertaining without complex techniques or extensive preparation time.

Everything You Need for Cardamom Cookies with Citrus Glaze

• Butter: Creamy fat that provides rich flavor and tender texture, best when soft and at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality of shortbread.
• Flour: Structural ingredient that gives cookies their classic crumbly shortbread consistency.

• Cardamom: Warm, aromatic spice with complex flavor profile, preferably freshly ground for maximum intensity.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze with perfect spreading consistency.
• Orange Juice: Provides bright citrus flavor and helps thin the glaze.
• Milk: Helps adjust glaze texture and adds subtle richness.
• Orange Zest: Optional garnish that adds intense citrus aroma and visual appeal.

Baking Instructions for Buttery, Aromatic Shortbread

Step 1: Create Buttery Dough Base

Combine softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixer. Beat on low speed until blended, then increase to medium. Mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Gently incorporate ground cardamom and flour, mixing until dough forms without overmixing.

Step 2: Chill Cookie Mixture

Shape dough into a smooth disk. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 4: Roll and Shape Cookies

Place chilled dough between parchment paper sheets. Roll to half-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.

Step 5: Freeze Cookie Shapes

Transfer cut cookies to a parchment-lined plate. Freeze for 10-15 minutes to maintain shape during baking.

Step 6: Bake Golden Treats

Place frozen cookie shapes on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-22 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 7: Cool Cookie Batch

Remove from oven. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 8: Craft Orange Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh orange juice
• Milk

Whisk ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Finish with Glaze

Dip cooled cookie tops into orange glaze. Place on wire rack. Sprinkle optional orange zest for extra zesty flavor. Allow glaze to set completely before serving.

Tips for Getting the Right Crunch and Zest Balance

• Crush Cardamom Perfectly: Use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to create a fine, fragrant powder that distributes evenly throughout the dough.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the shortbread dough for exactly 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain clean cookie edges during baking.
• Roll with Precision: Place dough between parchment paper to prevent sticking and achieve a uniform ½-inch thickness for consistent cookie texture.
• Freeze Before Baking: Briefly freezing cut cookies helps them retain sharp shapes and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.
• Glaze with Finesse: Dip cookies at a slight angle into the orange glaze for an elegant, professional-looking finish, allowing excess to drip off naturally.

Store Orange-Glazed Shortbread Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cardamom shortbread cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. For a crisp texture, warm briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve the delicate shortbread's crumbly consistency.

What Matches Well with These Fragrant Cookies

• Pair with Warm Chai Latte: A spicy chai latte complements the cardamom's warmth and balances the cookie's sweetness. The tea's aromatic spices enhance the cookie's delicate flavor profile.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy vanilla ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the shortbread's crisp texture. The subtle vanilla notes beautifully highlight the citrusy orange glaze.
• Match with Light Prosecco: Sparkling prosecco cuts through the cookie's richness and adds a festive touch. Its crisp bubbles and slight acidity create a delightful palate-cleansing experience between bites.
• Accompany with Almond Butter Spread: A dollop of almond butter adds nutty depth and creates an unexpected flavor combination. The spread's richness amplifies the cardamom's complexity and provides a luxurious texture contrast.

Bright and Bold Variations to Liven Up Shortbread

• Lavender Lemon Shortbread: Swap cardamom for dried lavender buds and replace orange juice with fresh lemon juice in the glaze. The floral lavender notes complement the tangy lemon, creating a refreshing and elegant cookie perfect for afternoon tea.
• Chocolate Espresso Shortbread: Substitute half the flour with cocoa powder and add a tablespoon of finely ground espresso beans to the dough. Drizzle with dark chocolate glaze instead of orange for a rich, sophisticated treat that coffee lovers will adore.
• Pistachio Rosewater Shortbread: Incorporate finely chopped pistachios into the dough and replace orange juice with rosewater in the glaze. Garnish with crushed pistachios for a Middle Eastern-inspired cookie that offers delicate, nutty flavors and aromatic elegance.
• Ginger Honey Shortbread: Mix ground ginger into the dough and create a honey-based glaze by combining powdered sugar with warm honey. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes for a balanced sweet-and-spicy cookie that provides a warm, comforting experience.

Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Cardamom shortbread cookies offer a luxurious twist on classic Scottish treats, blending warm spices with citrusy brightness. These delicate cookies melt in your mouth, bringing Nordic-inspired comfort to sweet moments.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) salted butter, softened
• 1¾ cups (228 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cardamom

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) orange juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk
• Orange zest (optional)

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Pulverize cardamom pods into a fine, aromatic powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
2. Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixer until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale, ensuring no butter lumps remain.
3. Gently fold ground cardamom and flour into the butter mixture, mixing until a crumbly dough forms without overworking the ingredients.
4. Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.
5. Heat the oven to 325°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Roll out the chilled dough between parchment papers to an even ½-inch thickness, then cut into desired cookie shapes using decorative cutters.
7. Quickly transfer cut cookies to a plate and freeze for 10-15 minutes to maintain their crisp edges.
8. Arrange frozen cookies on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring slight separation between each piece.
9. Bake for 20-22 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden hue and centers appear set.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Whisk powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and milk until a smooth, glossy glaze develops.
12. Dip cooled cookie tops into the orange glaze, letting excess drip off naturally.
13. Garnish with fresh orange zest for an extra burst of citrusy aroma and visual appeal.
14. Let glazed cookies sit until the coating hardens completely before serving.

Notes

• Grind fresh cardamom pods for an intense, aromatic flavor that elevates these delicate shortbread cookies.
• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and ensure a perfect, crisp texture during baking.
• Freeze the cut cookies briefly before baking to maintain their sharp edges and prevent shape distortion.
• Use a low oven temperature to create a golden, delicate shortbread that’s tender and crumbly.
• The orange glaze adds a bright, citrusy finish that perfectly complements the warm, spicy cardamom notes.
• Allow the glaze to set completely for a clean, professional-looking cookie that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 138
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 83mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 31mg