Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Fat | 9g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sugar | 4g |
Delicious Variations You’ll Love
Once you’ve mastered these cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies, it’s easy to create new twists using the same buttery dough base. I often swap flavors to suit the season or use whatever nuts and fruits I have on hand. The dough is very forgiving similar to our 3 ingredient shortbread biscuits so it’s perfect for customizing without compromising that classic melt in your mouth texture.
Flavor Twists
- Orange zest: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh orange zest to the dough for a citrusy lift that complements the cranberries beautifully.
- Rosemary lemon: Replace pistachios with chopped almonds and add lemon zest and a tiny pinch of rosemary.
- Chocolate dip: Dip half of each cookie into melted dark or white chocolate and let it set a stunning upgrade like we use in our vanilla heart biscuits.
- Almond extract: Swap vanilla for almond extract to bring out the nutty notes even more.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
Shortbread cookies are a dream for prepping in advance. You can chill the dough for up to 3 days before baking or freeze the cookie logs for later. I often make a double batch, freeze one, and bake the other just like we do with versatile recipes like oatmeal cookies.
How to Store
- Room temperature: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. They stay crisp and fresh.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or re crisp in a warm oven for 2-3 minutes.
- Frozen dough: Wrap logs tightly and freeze. Slice and bake straight from frozen, just adding 1-2 extra minutes to bake time.
Festive Ways to Serve and Gift
These cookies are naturally festive thanks to their red and green speckles, which makes them perfect for holiday gifting. I often tuck them into treat boxes alongside a few classic butter shortbreads and vanilla butter cookies. Here are a few fun serving and gifting ideas to try:
- Holiday tins: Stack them between layers of parchment paper in a metal cookie tin they travel beautifully.
- Tea pairing: Serve alongside hot tea and soft muffins like our cinnamon donut muffins.
- Dessert platter: Pair with chocolate truffles and shortbread fingers for a stunning dessert board.
Why This Recipe Works
Shortbread dough is traditionally simple and that’s what makes it perfect. With no eggs or rising agents, the structure depends on the butter. Beating the butter and sugar well helps aerate the dough slightly, while chilling helps solidify the shape. The result is a cookie that holds form yet crumbles gently in every bite like our most loved butter shortbread recipe.
Reader Reviews
“Absolutely beautiful cookies. The texture was amazing and everyone commented on how festive they looked!” Lisa R.
“Made a double batch for Christmas gifts and they were a hit. I dipped half in white chocolate and added orange zest so good.” Eric F.
“This recipe is perfect. It held shape, sliced cleanly, and the flavor balance of cranberry and pistachio was spot on.” Neha D.
