I normally feel all the "Christmas spirit" this time of the year. Those joyful vibes, you know.
I usually cannot wait to leave town and go visit my family. But... this year something unexpected happened, and it's not the same.
Luckily for us, we have these shortbread cookies with chocolate, orange and brandy to brighten up our days!
Because baking is what keeps me sane these days. So here they are... in all their deliciousness! Let's begin 2021 Christmas Cookies Series!
(Check out what I made in 2019 (Christmas Cookie Box) and 2020 (peppermint chocolate cookies, caramel coffee cookies, strawberry dried figs cookies)).
Stress free cookies for Christmas, the series.
Due to the moment I am living right now (and to avoid adding more stress), this year I decided to do the same thing I did two years ago.
In 2019 indeed I decided to create a stress free cookie box because, let's be honest, sometimes Christmas "rhymes" with hustle. Instead we don't want to feel those "hectic vibes". We just want to have fun, right?!
That's why for this series of - hopefully - three recipes, I will use pretty much the same cookie dough base and only change flavor. YEP, just like in my 2019 Christmas Cookie Box (which, by the way, I would check out if I were you!).
My plan? First is these shortbread cookies with orange and chocolate (and a touch of brandy), then hazelnut shortbread cookies and finally simple lemon shortbread cookies!
You ready to try all these shortbread recipes and build your own box?
How to make these shortbread cookies with chocolate, orange zest and brandy
Especially when I'm in the kitchen, my code word is simplicity. So these shortbread cookies with chocolate, orange and brandy NEEDED to be very simple.
The base recipe is very similar (almost identical) to the one from my Xmas cookie box, simply because THAT is my favorite recipe and it's "foolproof". I made it dozens of time and it's always spectacular, so I am 100% confident you'll love it.
Let's see how to make it:
The dough
- Add flour, powdered sugar, unsalted butter, egg, salt, orange zest and brandy (you can also try bourbon) to a food processor* and blend until you get a crumbly mixture.
- Take it out on a work surface (dusted with flour) and work with your hands until you get a nice dough.
- Slightly flatten it with your hands, cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge (or freezer, if dough is very soft) for about 30-60 minutes.
*Alternatively put everything inside a large mixing bowl, and use your stand mixer at medium speed to combine all the ingredients with a paddle attachment (in case it sticks, use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl)
Form the cookies and bake
- Roll out the dough on a dusted work surface (or use two sheets of parchment paper) about 0.2 inch thickness.
- Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter, and arrange them on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper.
- At this point, I recommend making them chill into the fridge for about 10 minutes. So they hold their shape.
- Bake cookies at 180° C / 355° F for about 14-17 minutes (every oven is different).
- Let cool down on a wire rack.
P.S. the amount of cookies could vary based on the cutter you use (I made about 40)
Decorate
- Lastly decorate with melted chocolate (dark or milk) using a piping bag or simply a spoon.
And your delicious treat is ready!
Can you taste the brandy?
In this recipe I've used brandy instead of vanilla extract.
Despite using almost 3 tablespoons, the brandy flavor won't be dominant, it just gives an extra kick (so delicious!!!). I wouldn't recommend adding more, since it will alter the structure of the dough.
Can I freeze these shortbread cookies with chocolate and orange?
I haven't tried freezing them when ready, but if you have to make a big batch you can form the cookies, freeze them on a flat surface, then put them into a freezer bag.
When you're ready to bake, just place them on a tray and bake (may need a bit more minutes).
Goes without saying, stay tuned for the other delicious recipes!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment! It would make me so happy! 🙂
Remember: if you try one of my recipes, tag me on Instagram or DM me the photos!
Shortbread cookies with chocolate, orange and brandy
Equipment
- 2-inch cookie cutter
Ingredients
I highly recommend using a scale and measure in grams. Cups are not precise enough.
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons Organic all purpose flour - 260 g
- 8.5 tablespoon High quality unsalted butter - 120 g
- ⅔ cup Powdered sugar - 100 g
- 1 Egg
- ½ teaspoon Salt - 2 g
- Orange zest (from 1 orange)
- 2.5 tablespoons Brandy
Instructions
- Add flour, powdered sugar, unsalted butter, egg, salt, orange zest and brandy to a food processor and blend until you get a crumbly mixture. *You can also do everything into a stand mixer.
- Take it out on a floured work surface and work with your hands until you get a nice dough (do not OVER work)
- Gently flatten dough with your hands, cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for about 30-60 minutes. TIP: if the dough is very soft, put into freezer instead.
- Roll out the dough on a floured work surface (alternatively use two sheets of parchment paper) about 0.2 inch thickness (about half a centimetre).
- Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter, and arrange them on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper (I made 40 cookies using a 5 centimetres - 2 inches - cutter).
- At this point I recommend letting cookies chill into the fridge for about 10 minutes, so they hold their shape while baking.
- Bake cookies at 180° C / 355° F for about 14-17 minutes (every oven is different).
- Let cookies cool down, then decorate with melted chocolate (dark or milk) using a piping bag or simply a spoon.
Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!
You cannot miss one of the most popular posts of the blog:
my NO STRESS Christmas Cookie Box!
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