What can be better than some shortbread cookies for the holiday season? And what if I tell you there is also orange liquor here? Try these Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies then. Santa will definitely approve!
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Hello folks – I hope you are doing well. So am I, thanks for asking.
Since there’s only one day till the weekend (Cheers to that!), I thought it would be great to share a dessert recipe. Indeed, it’s only my second sweet recipe I’m posting here.
Savoury Holiday Recipes
Not too excited about cookies? No worries! I have a plenty of savoury recipes for you.
Cheese Chestnut Dip (another MUST try!)
Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
These Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies are irresistibly delicate and buttery with a luscious glaze. The combination of orange and rosemary is so wonderful, fresh, and festive. I’ve also infused these cookies with a generous amount of orange liquor. You won’t really Cointreau in cookie dough, but the glaze though? You can get drunk! lol
Please keep in mind the addition of alcohol lightly tweaks the cookie texture; it is a bit dense (but still crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth).
They are not overly sweet, too! (Of course, that will depend on the amount / thickness of the glaze.)
More Shortbread Cookies
Looking for more shortbread ideas that would be perfect for this season? Sure!
Cranberry Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
I hope you like these Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies, and you will try them. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share your photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers!
Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Course: Dessert20-25
servings15
minutes40
minutes1
hourWhat can be better than some shortbread cookies for the holiday season? And what if I tell you there is also orange liquor here? Santa will definitely approve!
Ingredients
- Orange Rosemary Shortbread
170 gr. butter, softened
1 to 1 1/2 tbsp. orange zest
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. Cointreau or another Triple sec
2 tbsp. icing sugar
5 tbsp. corn starch
1 and 1/2 (to 1 and 1/3) cup all-purpose flour
- Cointreau Glaze
1 and 1/4 cup of icing sugar
4-5 tbsp. Cointreau liquor or another Triple sec
1 tbsp. cream (10, 18 or 35%) – or substitute another spoon of liquor
extra rosemary and orange zest (or dehydrated oranges) for garnish, optional
Directions
- In a bowl, using a mixer, cream the butter, icing sugar, orange liquor, and salt on medium speed, 2 minutes.
- Stir in the flour and corn starch and mix with a spoon or spatula until the mixture starts to remain dough. The dough might be quite sticky, so you could just with a little of extra flour.
- Stir in the rosemary and orange zest and mix until just incorporated (Don’t overmix.) Chill the dough for 10 minutes while preheating the oven.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (~175 degrees C).
- Roll the dough out with a rolling-pin. Cut cookies using cookie cutters of your choice. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet(s).
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes (depending on size) or until edges are lightly golden. (Because the addition of alcohol, it takes a bit longer to bake them than other shortbread recipes.) Remove from oven and completely cool.
- For the glaze in a small bowl whisk together the icing sugar, Cointreau, and cream until smooth and thick enough. You can easily adjust the consistency by adding more icing sugar or liquor / cream.
- Quickly dip the cookies into the glaze and shake off the excess of it. Garnish them if desired. let the cookies fully set and enjoy!
Notes
- If you have some dehydrated oranges, you can finely chop few rings and use instead of orange zest. The cookies will be more flavourful, and it would also add a little chewy element.
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
Shortbread cookies sometimes feel greasy so what you did here will equalize it, the tanginess of the orange and aroma of rosemary definitely will offset and complement that humble cookie
Thank you, Raymund!
Wow these look absolutely delicious and perfect for the holiday season! I love the idea of adding herbs and citrus to shortbread. And what gorgeous photos!
Thank you!
a good shortbread is a wonderful thing. love the flavours here!
Thanks Sherry!
Cookies with Cointreau in Ben? Yes please! This is a great festive bake and your pictures look so Christmassy. Right I’m away to put some Christmas Carols on!
Neil recently posted…Cranberry And White Chocolate Flapjacks
Thank you, Neil!
Ben – I love baking with herbs! The idea of the orange and rosemary together is fantastic, especially as we have orange trees and rosemary bushes the size of PEI!
Thank you David!
Ben – I made these for Christmas and everyone loved them. Thanks so much for the recipe! It will become a regular in our household!
What gorgeous, festive cookies Ben! I love rosemary and lemon together, but I’ve never tried rosemary and orange. I can see how it would be a delicious combination. I definitely need to try these cookies! 😋
Shannon recently posted…Homemade Whipped Cream
Thank you, Shannon!
I do love shortbread cookies, and orange + rosemary is a fun combination of flavors! I’m pretty sure these would be a great addition to a holiday cookie tray. They’re festive and tasty – that sounds like a win-win to me! The only question is will there be any left by the time Santa arrives??
David @ Spiced recently posted…Nana’s Jam Cake
Yeah, that could be a problem. Doubling the batch? :)
What marvelous cookies! Elegant, gourmet, and delicious!!!
Thank you, Liz!
I love the scent of rosemary in cookies and pairing with orange is just brilliant. These cookies look festive and totally right up my alley!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Thank you, Angie!