Best 4 Cranberry Shortbread Stars Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful Cranberry Shortbread Stars, a festive treat that combines the tangy sweetness of cranberries with the buttery richness of shortbread. These star-shaped cookies are not only visually appealing but also burst with flavor in every bite. With three irresistible variations - classic cranberry, cranberry orange, and cranberry pistachio - this recipe offers a delightful trio of holiday treats.

The classic cranberry shortbread stars are a timeless delight, featuring a vibrant red cranberry filling sandwiched between two layers of buttery shortbread. The cranberry orange variation adds a burst of citrusy brightness, while the cranberry pistachio stars introduce a nutty crunch that complements the tartness of the cranberries. Each variation promises a unique taste experience that will tantalize your taste buds.

These Cranberry Shortbread Stars are not only delicious but also a breeze to make. The simple dough comes together quickly, and the filling is made with just a handful of ingredients. The cookies are then baked to perfection, resulting in a tender and flaky texture that melts in your mouth.

Whether you're looking for a festive treat to share with loved ones or a delightful addition to your holiday cookie platter, these Cranberry Shortbread Stars are sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create these irresistible holiday treats!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD BARS



Cranberry Shortbread Bars image

Look at the lovely confection our Test Kitchen came up with when it combined cranberries, coconut and white chocolate! Colorful and tasty, these bars and a glass of milk make the perfect treat after a dusty afternoon of raking leaves. TIP: Wrapped in colored cellophane and ribbons, Cranberry Shortbread Bars are pretty enough to double as quick holiday gifts, don't you think?

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 ounces white baking chocolate, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine flour, coconut and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Spread remaining mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake 10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugars and cornstarch. Stir in cranberries and apple juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts. , Spread over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with white chocolate. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 12g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 101mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD



Cranberry Shortbread image

I don't usually make shortbread, but this recipe comes from a great cookbook [The Joy of Cranberries: That Tangy Red Treat], so I figure its gotta be a good one!

Provided by Sydney Mike

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 4 dozen, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (no substitute)
1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Stir together flour, sugar & salt, then cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
  • Stir in cranberries, then form into a ball & knead until smooth.
  • Divide dough in half.
  • On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll each dough portion to a 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Use a knife & cut into 24 2"x1" strips, then place these strips 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake 20-26 minutes or until bottoms just start to brown.
  • Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove & cool completely on wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 132.2, Fat 7.8, SaturatedFat 4.9, Cholesterol 20.3, Sodium 25.6, Carbohydrate 14.3, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 4.3, Protein 1.4

CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD BARS



Cranberry Shortbread Bars image

Make and share this Cranberry Shortbread Bars recipe from Food.com.

Provided by DailyInspiration

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 16 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces fresh cranberries (2 1/4 cups)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place the wire oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter (or spray) a 9x9 inch pan.
  • Cranberry Filling: In a medium sized saucepan, place all the ingredients. Over medium heat, cook the ingredients until boiling. Continue to boil the filling until it becomes thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool while you make the shortbread.
  • Shortbreads: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch and salt. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer) beat the butter until smooth (1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until smooth (2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla. Gently stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated.
  • Evenly press two-thirds of the shortbread into the bottom of the prepared pan. Then evenly spread the cranberry filling over the shortbread base, leaving a 1/4 inch border.
  • With the remaining shortbread dough, using your fingers crumble it over the top of the cranberry filling. Then lightly press the dough into the filling.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and while hot, cut into 16 squares. Allow to cool completely in pan. Makes about 16 bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.2, Fat 11.7, SaturatedFat 7.3, Cholesterol 30.5, Sodium 40.1, Carbohydrate 27.7, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 13.5, Protein 1.8

CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD STARS



Cranberry Shortbread Stars image

My family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray. -Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield about 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar and salt until blended. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in cranberries., Shape dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 325°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 74mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a food processor to quickly and easily combine the shortbread dough ingredients.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help prevent the dough from sticking to your hands and make it easier to work with.
  • If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If the dough is too dry, add a little more butter.
  • Be sure to flour your work surface before rolling out the dough. This will help prevent the dough from sticking.
  • Use a sharp knife or cookie cutter to cut out the shortbread cookies. This will help create clean, even edges.
  • Bake the shortbread cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
  • Let the shortbread cookies cool completely before dipping them in the melted chocolate.
  • Store the shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Cranberry shortbread stars are a delicious and festive holiday treat. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply enjoying at home with family and friends. With their buttery shortbread crust, tangy cranberry filling, and sweet chocolate coating, these cookies are sure to be a hit!

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