These delightful chocolate-dipped orange shortbread stars are a perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire. Combining the rich flavors of chocolate and orange, these shortbread cookies make for an elegant yet easy Christmas treat.

Ideal for sharing or gifting, these dessert cookies are among the best Christmas cookie ideas. They are simple to make and will surely impress your family and friends during the festive season.

Easy Chocolate-Dipped Orange Shortbread Stars

This recipe features buttery shortbread cookies infused with orange zest, dipped in rich chocolate for a delicious contrast. The preparation takes about 1 hour, including chilling time, and yields approximately 24 cookies, making it a great choice for holiday cookie recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• Sprinkles or crushed nuts for decoration (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Dip in Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Dip the cooled cookies halfway into the melted chocolate and place them on parchment paper to set.
6. Decorate: If desired, sprinkle with decorations before the chocolate hardens. Allow the chocolate to fully set before serving or storing.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Chill Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 24 cookies
• Calories: 120kcal
• Fat: 8g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 12g