Citrus and Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Buttery shortbread cookies infused with fresh orange zest and warm cardamom, dusted with powdered sugar for a snowy finish. This recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, layers unsalted butter, softened, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 24 International cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar using a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom until evenly combined.
  3. Step 3: Sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch, then gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until dough just comes together.
  4. Step 4: Roll dough into 1-inch diameter logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Slice chilled logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 18-20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
  7. Step 7: Once cooled, dust cookies generously with 1/4 cup powdered sugar to create a snowy effect.

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