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    Home » Recipes » Cookie Recipes

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

    Nov 13, 2018 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Dec 1, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    These Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies with a White Chocolate Glaze are easy, delicious and pretty. Perfect for holiday treats or gifts.

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread with White Chocolate Glaze

    On the one hand, it feels a little early to be thinking about holiday cookies. On the other hand, it's just a month and a bit until Christmas! Time to think about holiday baking!

    These Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread are a holiday spin on a shortbread cookie I have made several times, with different flavours and toppings. This version uses chopped pistachios and dried cranberries both in and on top of the cookies. It also has a lovely white chocolate glaze.

    I love these cookies as they always bake up perfectly. Baking them in a pan and cutting into wedges means no rolling or cookie cutters needed. They are thick and delicious. They are also sturdy, so they travel and keep well. Perfect for gifting.

    I think Cranberry and Pistachio are a classic combination for holiday baking. Here are the other versions of this cookie though, if you'd like to try more options, as well. Vanilla Rose Shortbread Cookies and Lemon Pistachio Shortbread.

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread with White Chocolate Glaze

    Cook's Notes

    Be sure to take the time to finely chop your pistachios and cranberries, so you don't have large chunks in or on top of the cookies.

    Be sure to work quickly with the white chocolate glaze, as it will begin to thicken if it sits too long. If necessary, give it a quick 10-second shot in the microwave and re-stir, to loosen.

    The recipe intentionally makes a large batch of glaze, so that the cookies are easier to dip. You will not use it all.

    Top Tip! White chocolate can be tricky to melt completely. If you find yourself with small bits of solids in your white chocolate, despite a lot of stirring, simply pour through a fine mesh strainer to strain them out before dipping your cookies.

    If you prefer or don't have white chocolate on hand, you can use the glaze from these Rose Vanilla Shortbread Cookies (minus the roses, of course). It's a simple icing sugar and vanilla glaze.

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread with White Chocolate Glaze

    cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies on cooling rack

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze

    Cranberry pistachio studded shortbread cookie wedges, topped with a white chocolate glaze and more chopped pistachios and cranberries.
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 4 ratings
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Refrigeration Tme 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Servings 16 cookies

    Ingredients
     

    Cookies:

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 3/4 cup icing sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • 1/4 tsp salt, a bit less if using salted butter
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 Tbsp finely chopped pistachios
    • 2 Tbsp finely chopped dried cranberries

    Topping:

    • 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
    • 1/2 cup cream, half and half or milk
    • 1 1/2 cups icing/confectioners' sugar
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
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    Instructions
     

    • n a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or in a bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the butter, icing sugar, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the flour just until combined. Add the chopped pistachios and chopped dried cranberries and mix until combined.
    • Press dough into a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom (or alternately, a 9-inch round cake pan, lining the bottom with a round of parchment paper). Flatten dough with the palm of your hand to make a smooth surface. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the dough in to 16 wedges. Prick each wedge with a fork twice. Refrigerate pan with dough until firm, about 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300F.
    • Bake cookies in preheated oven until firm and pale golden, about 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then, using a sharp knife, cut through the score lines you made before baking, wiping off the blade between each cut. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
    • Meanwhile, prepare glaze by combining white chocolate chips with cream in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds. Remove and stir. Microwave in additional 30 second intervals until melted. Stir in icing sugar, adding additional cream if needed to make a glaze that will easily drip off a spoon.
    • *Note: If you end up with small lumps of solids in your glaze, pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove before dipping.
    • Tip: Be sure to use a bowl that will allow you to dip the cookies in flat from end to end, so it should be at least 5-inches wide. That said, don't use too big a bowl or your glaze will be too thin a layer and you may bottom-out when you dip).
    • Prepare your chopped pistachios and chopped dried cranberries and set aside.
    • Remove cookies from pan to a rack. Holding a cookie by the sides, dip the top of the cookie into the glaze to coat. Hold point side down and allow the excess to drip off. Gently remove any drip at the point end by running it along the edge of the bowl. Place on to rack. Once you've done about 4 wedges, sprinkle those ones with some of the chopped pistachio and cranberry, before the glaze sets to much that they won't stick. I like to sprinkle a bit of the smaller stuff first, sprinkling over the outer 2/3 of the wedge (leaving the narrow end clear). Then sprinkle some of the larger pieces at the wide end. Repeat until you have glazed and sprinkled all the cookies.
    • Allow to stand until the glaze is set, about 1 hour or pop in the fridge to speed the process up. Store in a flat even layer in an airtight container. These keep well stored at room temperature for about a week. These would also freeze well!

    Notes

    Be sure to read the "Cook's Notes" in the original post, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American, Canadian
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AOK says

      October 24, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      These shortbread cookies are the bomb!! Not only scrumptious but also so beautiful. I brought to a party and they looked so pretty on my serving platter. Will definitely be making these again.

      I used a regular 9" cake pan treated with baking goop and they released easily from the pan. If you wanted to make them into smaller squares, instead of triangles, you could use an 8" square pan. I accidentally put the 1/4 cup of pistachios and cranberries into the mix, so had the 2 T of each for the topping, but that really was enough for topping, and they tasted great, so I might just do it that way when I make them again.

      For the icing I used Ghirardelli white chocolate squares (I used 2 & 1/2 packages or 12 ounces) because the white chips I was finding weren't actually chocolate - no cocao in them. The Ghirardelli is more of a yellow tint, so they did not look quite as pretty white, but still were beautiful. I did get the little bit of chocolate that didn't quite melt, but I used a whisk and that did the trick. I know there was going to be extra leftover, but I ended up with 9 ounces of icing left over so I have refrigerated and will make another batch and reuse that. Can definitely do two batches with the same quantity of icing.

      With the chopping of the pistachios and cranberries, and dipping and decorating, these take a bit of time, but so worth it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        October 25, 2021 at 11:59 am

        So glad you are enjoying them! Thanks so much :)

        Reply
    2. Lia says

      December 14, 2020 at 5:44 am

      Could you use walnuts instead of pistachios? Absolutely an amazing recipe- the whole fam loved them xx

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 14, 2020 at 9:51 am

        Hi Lia and absolutely you can swap in walnuts for the pistachios. Thanks :)

        Reply
    3. Mary says

      November 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      I’m not a big fan of most white chocolate chips so I was wondering if a bar of good quality white chocolate, such as Lindt, would produce the same results. I know chips have stabilizers in them to help them keep their shape but I love the taste of Lindt. Did you try other white chocolate in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 19, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        Hi Mary, I haven't tested this with other chocolate, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work just the same as the chips.

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      November 19, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Jennifer, novice baker here! Is it possible to use 9 inch spring form pan? Looking forward to making shortbread for the first time. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 19, 2018 at 10:57 am

        Hi Susan and yes! I don't have a 9-inch springform, so never thought of it, but it would work just fine. I would probably still line the bottom with parchment, just for super easy removal :) Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

      November 16, 2018 at 12:45 am

      Beautiful shortbread, I love the white chocolate glaze!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 16, 2018 at 8:40 am

        Thanks Laura!

        Reply
    6. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      November 15, 2018 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      I'm a HUGE shortbread fan Jennifer, so these will absolutely be on my holiday baking list!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 15, 2018 at 8:54 am

        Thanks Mary Ann! These are so easy and delicious. One of my favourites :)

        Reply
    7. Milena says

      November 14, 2018 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      You decorated it so beautifully that it could easily double as a holiday table centerpiece. Love your recipes - never too complicated and always delicious. This past Sunday I made the Dutch baby with the poached eggs and let Chris make the hollandaise - it was a great breakfast to share with kiddo!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:55 pm

        Thanks so much, Milena :) And so glad you tried that Dutch Baby. One of my favourites when I'm feeling a need for an easy Benny thing!

        Reply
    8. elle says

      November 14, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      I was Wondering if milk chocolate can work instead of using white chocolate?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:55 pm

        Hi Elle and yes, milk chocolate should work just the same way as white here.

        Reply
    9. 2 Sisters Recipes says

      November 13, 2018 at 10:43 pm

      Lovely recipe for holiday cookies and beautiful photos! We started decorating for Christmas, so this is the perfect excuse to make these shortbreads! Perfect for gifting! Pinning this too!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:40 am

        Thanks so much, Liz :)

        Reply
    10. Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says

      November 13, 2018 at 11:58 am

      These are lovely Jennifer - and perfect for the holidays. I'm already thinking about Christmas and decorating and baking. This is pretty early for me. I even listened to two, maybe three, Christmas songs today. I love these cookies and the flavor combination. Great for all occasions! Pinning

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:41 am

        Thanks Tricia! I think it's a little easier for us Canadians as we don't have Thanksgiving still to come. That and the fact that we have snow already ;)

        Reply
    11. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      November 13, 2018 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      These looks almost (just almost) too pretty to eat, Jennifer! They'd be lovely for gifting during the holidays too...though I think I'd have to double the batch ;)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:41 am

        Thanks Dawn and yes, one to gift and one to eat, for sure :)

        Reply
    12. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      November 13, 2018 at 11:06 am

      Cranberry and pistachios are one of my favorite combos (I'm actually using both for a truffle recipe today!). Can't be beat around the Holidays. These are works of art, Jennifer! Must try!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2018 at 7:42 am

        Thanks so much, Liz :)

        Reply

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