The holiday season calls for cookies

Those lofty goals of boxes full of elaborate cookies often fall to the wayside as Christmas inches closer. I still bake a few batches of cookies and divvy them up, but I turn to quick and easy favorite recipes that I can prep in no time. This cranberry orange shortbread is one of those cookies.

These festive cookies are chewy, buttery, and dotted with cranberry and orange flavors. They don’t require too many ingredients, and the dough comes together in a flash. Plus, they’re slice-and-bake, so there’s no need to mess with scooping out portions of dough.

Bake them to add to your own last-minute cookie box or put together a platter for an upcoming holiday dinner.

Side view of a stack of five cranberry orange shortbread cookies with more in the background — Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Tips for Making My Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Chilling time is key. These cookies don’t have eggs or leavening agents. We’re leaving all the work up to the butter, sugar, and flour. That means chilling the dough is a crucial step for proper texture and it will help the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Dress them up in so many ways. Sprinkles? Nuts? An icing drizzle? Dipping in chocolate? Go for it! These cookies are incredibly adaptable. Consider rolling the whole log of cookie dough in sparkling sugar sprinkles for a touch of shimmer around the edges or roll it in crushed pecans or hazelnuts. Once the cookies are baked, you can make a quick glaze with powdered sugar and orange juice for even more orange flavor.

A Make-Ahead Cookie

These cookies are quick and easy if you’re up against the clock, but you can also prep the dough ahead of time. Make the cookie dough, form the logs, and wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil.

You can leave them in the fridge for up to four days before slicing and baking or pop them in the freezer. Store the cookie dough logs in the freezer for up to two months and let them thaw in the fridge before slicing and baking. The baked cookies last for up to five days in an airtight container.