Classic Christmas Shortbread Stars with a Hint of Orange

Xmas Cookie Recipes Classic Orange Shortbread Stars

By Chef BakerJuly 31, 2025

Table of Contents

'Ere We Go! Christmas Shortbread Stars Recipe

Fancy a festive bake? Ever wondered how to make those delicious Christmas cookies that just melt in your mouth? Well, pull up a chair, Here's your cuppa , guv'nor, I'm about to share one of my favourite xmas cookie recipes, Classic Shortbread Stars with a Hint of Orange.

These aren't just any biscuits; they're little bites of Christmas magic.

A Wee Bit of History

Shortbread's got Scottish roots. It's been around for ages, and it's a staple Christmas cookie recipes holiday for good reason.

Simple, buttery, and oh-so-good! This recipe is easy enough for a beginner. Prep takes about an hour and fifteen minutes.

This recipe yields about 24-30 star cookies.

Why These Shortbread Stars Rock

Honestly, these are the Best Christmas Cookies because they're so simple. The orange zest gives them a bit of a zing.

They're festive biscuit baking and perfect for gifts. The touch of citrus makes them extra special, too. Shortbread offers a good dose of happiness per bite, that is already a health benefit in my book!

Gather 'Round: Ingredients You'll Need

Right then, let's talk ingredients. You'll need butter, sugar, salt, flour, and an orange for its zest. That's about it! Keep it simple, keep it tasty.

If you prefer lemon, you can make Lemon Shortbread.

The Gear You'll Need

Get your bowls, mixer, rolling pin, star shaped cutters and baking sheets ready. You'll need baking paper, or even a silicone mat.

Make sure you have the oven on at 325° F ( 160° C). These festive cookies should be lightly golden.

Happy Baking!

Right then, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up these delicious Christmas cookies ! Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward, nothing too fancy.

I bet this will be the best Christmas cookie recipe you ever tried!

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients - Ready, Steady, Bake!

Alright, time to gather the troops. Here’s what you’ll need for the base of our festive biscuit baking . Remember, good ingredients equal good biscuits!

Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g ) unsalted butter, softened. Don't use margarine, please! We want proper flavor. The quality indicator for the butter is that it’s real butter! None of that spreadable stuff, alright?
Sugar: ½ cup ( 100g ) granulated sugar.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5g ) fine sea salt.
Flour: 2 cups ( 250g ) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting.
Orange Zest: Zest of 1 orange. The aroma will just make the recipe! It’s so good to be used on xmas cookie recipes .

Seasoning Notes - A Little Spice, A Lot of Nice!

Now, for the magic! These combinations will lift your xmas shortbread recipes to another level:

Essential Spice Combo: Orange zest is the star here. It adds a lovely warmth. If you want, a tiny pinch of ground cardamom works wonders too.
Flavor Enhancers: A splash of orange extract will boost the orange flavor like crazy! If you don't have any extract on hand, don't worry - it tastes amazing regardless!
Substitutions: No orange ? Lemon zest is a fine swap. It will provide a good substitute for these holiday cookie recipes to make them super easy and delicious!

Equipment Needed - Nothing Too Flash!

Keep it simple! You don't need a professional bakery to make these best Christmas cookies :

Mixing Bowls: For mixing all the ingredients.
Electric Mixer: A handheld or stand mixer. Makes life easier, but you can use a wooden spoon if you're feeling old-school.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: To get the measurements right.
Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough. A bottle of wine works in a pinch, I’ve done that before, honestly!
Star Shaped Cookie Cutters: Because it's Christmas! Obviously it’s ideal to be the best Christmas cookies holiday .
Baking Sheets: For baking the cookies.
Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking.
Zester: To zest the orange . A vegetable peeler and a knife will do if you're careful.

Right then, with these sorted you're good to go! You’ll be baking cookies fit for ranking higher than a royal flush , so here’s your cuppa , guv'nor! And with some good Christmas cookie gift ideas !

Right then, let's chat about baking these delicious Christmas cookies ! More particularly, let's nail the cooking method for classic Christmas shortbread, the kind that’ll have everyone singing carols with joy.

Honestly, there's nothing quite like that buttery, melt-in-your mouth goodness to get you in the festive spirit. You know?

Cooking Like a Pro: Baking Shortbread to Perfection

Baking Best Christmas Cookies isn’t just throwing stuff in the oven. It’s an art, innit? So, grab your apron, and let’s get started!

Prep Steps: Sorted!

First things first, essential mise en place . Get all your bits and bobs prepped. Measure out your ingredients. Soften your butter (but not too soft, mind you!).

This is how you achieve Best Christmas Cookie Recipe .

Time saving organization tips whilst the oven warms, take 5 mins to clean all the utensils you have dirtied.. This way, you won't have a huge mess to deal with later.

Clever, eh?

step-by-step: Easy Peasy

Here's your cuppa steps, guv'nor, fit for ranking higher than a royal flush:

Cream 2 sticks (227g) softened butter and 100g sugar until fluffy.
Stir in orange zest and 1.5g salt.
Gradually mix in 250g flour until just combined.
Chill dough for at least 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325° F ( 160° C).
Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out shapes.
Bake for 12- 15 minutes, until lightly golden.

Pro Tips: Sorted!

Don’t overmix the dough! Seriously, this is crucial. Overmixing makes tough cookies. Nobody wants that, right? Chill the dough. This stops them spreading too much in the oven. It’s a game changer!

A common mistake? Burning the bottoms! Use parchment paper. This keeps the xmas cookie recipes from sticking. This saves a lot of tears later. Trust me.

These Holiday Cookie Recipes can be made ahead! Freeze the dough. Then bake later. Easy peasy!

These xmas shortbread recipes are a Christmas essential. They're a great way to share the festive biscuit baking . Everyone loves a good orange shortbread cookie and they also make great Christmas cookie gift ideas ! So I really hope you enjoyed these easy Christmas baking recipes !

Happy baking, and happy Christmas!

Recipe Notes for Delicious Christmas Cookies

Alright, so you're ready to bake some Christmas cookie recipes holiday magic? Brilliant! Before you dive in headfirst, let's chat about a few bits and bobs to make sure your shortbread turns out tip-top.

It's all about the details, innit?

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Honestly, presentation matters, even for something as simple as a cookie. For your Orange Shortbread Cookies , consider a tiered platter.

Dust them lightly with icing sugar for a snowy effect. These Best Christmas Cookies can also be cute little Christmas Cookie Gift Ideas .

Tie a ribbon around a stack of them. Add a sprig of holly. Sorted! Or go totally festive and serve them with mulled wine! Perfect with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, guv'nor.

Storage Tips: Keeping Them Fresh as a Daisy

Right then. What if you have any left? Highly unlikely, I know! But, just in case. These Xmas shortbread recipes are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

They'll happily last for up to a week. Fancy making ahead? You can freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 months! Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling out.

Reheating's a doddle if you wanna revive slightly stale cookies. Just pop 'em in a low oven ( 300° F/ 150° C ) for a few minutes.

Variations: A Spot of Adaptability

Fancy a twist on these Festive Biscuit Baking sensations? Swapping the orange zest for lemon is lovely and adds brightness.

For a gluten-free option, a good gluten-free all-purpose flour blend works a charm. It makes for brilliant Holiday Cookie Recipes too.

These also are Easy Christmas Baking Recipes that you'll enjoy making.

Nutrition Basics: A (Very) Quick Lowdown

Let's be honest. These aren't exactly health food! But everything in moderation. These Best Christmas Cookie Recipe treats offer a bit of energy from the sugar and butter.

Also, if you use orange zest, you get a touch of vitamin C. Remember, this is about festive joy and making memories.

These make Delicious Christmas Cookies .

So there you have it! Now go forth and bake some amazing Christmas shortbread! With these tips, you will definitely rank higher than a royal flush! Happy Baking and Merry Christmas!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to chill the dough when making these xmas cookie recipes?

Chilling the dough for these shortbread stars is crucial, like letting a good cuppa tea steep! It allows the butter to firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them maintain their lovely star shape. Plus, chilled dough is easier to handle, so you won't end up with a sticky mess.

Can I freeze the shortbread dough for longer storage?

Absolutely! Freezing the dough is a cracking idea for getting ahead. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It can last for up to 2-3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking. It's like having a secret stash of festive cheer ready to go!

My shortbread cookies are tough. What did I do wrong?

Tough shortbread is a common baking blunder, a bit like a soggy bottom on a Bake Off tart! The most likely culprit is overmixing the dough. This develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher cookie. Mix the flour in gently until just combined, and avoid kneading the dough.

What are some fun variations I can try with these xmas cookie recipes, besides orange?

Fancy a bit of a twist? Go for it! You could swap the orange zest for lemon zest for a zesty vibe. Or, chuck in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch. And if you're a chocoholic, mini chocolate chips are always a winner. Get creative and make them your own!

How should I store these shortbread star cookies to keep them fresh?

To keep your shortbread stars nice and crisp, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week...if they last that long! To stop them from sticking together, you can separate the layers with parchment paper.

Avoid storing them in the fridge, as that can make them a bit soft.

Are there any gluten-free versions of these xmas cookie recipes?

Yes, you can absolutely make these shortbread stars gluten-free! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder, as this will help to give the cookies structure.

Some gluten-free flours can be a bit drier, so you might need to add a tablespoon or two of milk or water to the dough to bring it together.