Cranberry Shortbread

A buttery shortbread base topped with a tart-sweet cranberry and grapefruit compote. This elegant dessert combines the crumbly texture of traditional shortbread with bright, festive cranberries.

12 servings
1 hr 10 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 10 ounce cranberries
  • ¼ cup fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 teaspoon grapefruit zest

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8x2" pan with parchment, leaving a 2" overhang on 2 opposite sides. Whisk flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Using your fingertips, rub butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse meal.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Transfer to prepared pan; press evenly onto bottom of pan (using the bottom of a flat measuring cup works well). Prick dough all over with a fork.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Bake shortbread until cooked through and pale golden, 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Let cool completely in pan. DO AHEAD: Shortbread can be made 3 days ahead. Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

    30 min

  4. 4.

    Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cups cranberries, and grapefruit juice to a simmer in a small saucepan and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture is syrupy, about 8 minutes. Stir in remaining cranberries and cook until skins begin to split, about 3 minutes. Let cool. DO AHEAD: Cranberry topping can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Spread cooled cranberry topping over shortbread. Scatter zest over. Using paper overhang, lift shortbread from pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut shortbread.

    10 min

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