Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies are a sweet and easy cookie recipe packed with dried cranberries and pecans and then dipped in dark chocolate for a decadent treat.
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you’ll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
These shortbread cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly balances the buttery richness of classic shortbread with the tartness of cranberries and the richness of dark chocolate in every bite.
These cookies have a wonderfully crumbly texture that just melts in your mouth, making them an ideal companion for a cup of tea or coffee, just like our Jam Shortbread Bars, which pair the same melt-in-your-mouth goodness with a sweet jammy center.
The cookies are perfect for various occasions, from holiday gatherings to casual afternoon snacks, and they never fail to impress with their delightful blend of flavors and textures.
These festive cookies would be great served alongside Cake Mix Peanut Butter Blossoms and Elf Sized Cookies for the holidays!
Jump to:
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients. We need basic pantry staple ingredients like flour, powdered sugar, and butter. Adding pecans and cranberries makes these cookies unique and festive.
- Easy to prep. Just mix everything, chill, slice, and bake. This recipe is very easy to follow. Perfect for novice bakers.
- They're great for the holidays. Bring a platter or baggie of these cookies to the next holiday cookie exchange. Present them as gifts, or serve them at the Christmas party.
🛒 Ingredients
Butter. Adds rich, buttery flavor to the cookies.
Powdered Sugar. Creates a soft texture and gentle sweetness compared to granulated sugar.
Dried Cranberries. Adds chewy texture and tart flavor. Save extras for Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread or Cranberry Orange Bagels. For more cranberry ideas, try Cranberry Orange Sauce, Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake, or Cranberry Eggnog Streusel Muffins.
Pecans. Chopped pecans provide a mild crunch and nutty flavor. We also use them in Cherry Apple Crisp.
Dark Chocolate. Melted dark chocolate adds a rich, indulgent finish when used for dipping.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use baking chips instead of bars: Dark chocolate chips are often cheaper than baking bars and melt just as well for dipping.
Buy nuts and dried fruit in bulk: Purchasing pecans and dried cranberries from bulk bins or store-brand packages can significantly lower the cost.
Make ahead for savings: This dough keeps well in the fridge or freezer, letting you bake only what you need instead of buying store-bought cookies.
🥄 Instructions for Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar until well mixed.
Step 2: Add in the almond extract and then mix again.
Step 3: Add in the flour, dried cranberries, and pecans, and mix again until distributed.
Step 4: Lay a piece of parchment paper and spread out your cookie dough into a log.
Step 5: Tightly roll the dough up in the parchment paper and then wrap well in plastic wrap to help keep it from drying out and to maintain shape.
Step 6: Chill for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 8: Remove the cookie dough from the fridge and then slice into ¼ inch thick slices.
Step 9: Place the cookies about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet and then bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.
Step 10: Let cool on a cooling rack over a baking sheet.
Step 11: In a small bowl, melt your dark chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Step 12: Dip half of the cookies in the chocolate and return to the cooling rack until set.
Keep cookies stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Chill the Dough Before Baking- To maintain round shapes, chill the dough before baking to prevent spreading.
- Use Unsalted Butter- Ensure your cookies aren't too salty by using unsalted butter or adjusting salt if using salted butter.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Make Ahead: The dough log can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months. Dip in chocolate after thawing for best results.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve cranberry pecan shortbread cookies with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a cozy treat. These cookies also pair well with a holiday dessert tray alongside simple butter cookies, biscotti, or fresh fruit for balance.
- Dairy Free Crock Pot Hot ChocolateRecipe $4.50 / Serving $0.38
- Crockpot Apple Cider RecipeRecipe $3.98 / Serving $0.40
- Gingerbread CookiesRecipe $4.85 / Serving $0.10
- Eggnog Poke CakeRecipe $5.68 / Serving $0.47
❓ Recipe FAQs
3 days. You can make the dough for this cranberry shortbread recipe up to 3 days in advance and keep it stored in the fridge.
Absolutely! These cookies freeze very well and taste incredible too. Freeze the dough log raw or freeze the cookies after they've been cooked. If dipping in chocolate, I recommend waiting until cookies are thawed so that the chocolate doesn't sweat as it thaws.
You can customize Cranberry Shortbread Cookies by adding ingredients like white chocolate chips, orange zest, or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Pumpkin Spice SnickerdoodlesRecipe $2.43 / Serving $0.24
- Play Dough CookiesRecipe $3.30 / Serving $0.28
- Cap'n Crunch CookiesRecipe $6.61 / Serving $0.56
- Cookie Monster CookiesRecipe $6.47 / Serving $1.08
🐝 If you tried these Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ($1.98)
- ½ cup powdered sugar - ($0.18)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract - ($0.31)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - ($0.26)
- ½ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ½ cup dried cranberries - ($1.38)
- ½ cup chopped pecans - ($0.49)
- 1 cup dark chocolate - ($1.16)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar and mix until smooth and well blended.
- Flavor the dough. Add the almond extract and mix again until incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients. Mix in the flour, salt, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed and a dough forms.
- Shape and chill. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape into a log. Roll tightly in the parchment, then wrap in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to secure. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat and prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
- Slice and bake. Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into ¼-inch rounds. Arrange cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool. Transfer cookies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet and allow to cool completely.
- Melt the chocolate. Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Dip or drizzle. Dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate or drizzle chocolate over the tops. Return cookies to the wire rack and let the chocolate set.
- Store. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Chilling the dough. Chilling prevents spreading and helps the cookies keep their shape.
- Butter choice. Use unsalted butter, or omit the added salt if using salted butter.
- Make ahead. Dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.
- Freezing. Freeze the dough log or baked cookies. If dipping in chocolate, wait to dip until cookies are fully thawed to prevent condensation on the chocolate.
Nutritional Information
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we'll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you'll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
Comments
No Comments