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I had a crazy work schedule several weeks ago, but luckily my husband was on vacation. He didn't have any big plans and was able to take up a bit of the slack at home. I asked if he could stop at the market for me and pick up a few items for some cooking I wanted to do. He kindly obliged and decided to do the shopping at a nearby Sam's Club. If any of you shop at Sam's, you know that most everything comes in massive quantity packaging, perfect for large families and commercial purposes.
Though it's just the two of us most of the time here at The Café, I do like to stock up at big box stores like Sam's and Costco on pantry and freezer items. That way, when the urge strikes me to bake, cook or create, I don't have to go running off to the grocery store. One of the items on my list was oranges, and Scott came home with a huge bag of the sweetest, juiciest oranges you'd ever want to have the pleasure of meeting.
I was thrilled and mentioned several times how delighted I was with the yummy oranges. You'll never guess what happened a few days later when I went to grab a snack! My humungous bag of oranges had multiplied, and now a second bag awaited by astonished gaze! A magical refrigerator? No, something even better. A sweet, kind husband who, knowing how I loved those oranges, had picked up another (huge) bag for my pleasure 🙂
Oh dear, are you seeing why I had a challenge? Though I've enjoyed them on their own, unadorned, two huge bags of oranges got my imagination rolling and I've had fun using the wonderful, seasonal fruit in all kinds of recipes. I'm working on an Orange Chicken (low-fat) recipe that I hope to share soon.
And please forgive me for posting yet another shortbread recipe; if you search shortbread on The Café, I'm afraid you might think it's my middle name. A hopeless sucker for the crisp, buttery indulgence, these Orange Pecan Shortbread Cookies have a burst of bright orange flavor combined with the warmth of crushed toasted pecans. It's super simple to put together; just mix up the dough in an electric mixer, pat it in a tart or cake pan, brush with a bit of honey and finish with a shower of coarse sugar. A double (see recipe) slow baking results in a fabulous, irresistible treat I think you'll love!
Adapted from Fine Cooking
- 8 ounces cold butter cut into ½" pieces
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 10 ounces all-purpose flour 2¼ cups
- ½ cup toasted pecans* toasted and ground very finely in a food processor
- 2 teaspoons loosely packed finely grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
- 1 tablespoon honey warmed for 10-15 seconds in microwave to thin
- Demerara coarse sugar (for sprinkling)
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Preheat oven to 300˚F. Spray a 10" or 11" tart pan w/ removable bottom with cooking spray.
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Combine the butter, sugar, and salt in a stand mixing bowl (use the paddle attachment) or a large regular mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until the butter combines with the sugar, but isn't perfectly smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
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Add the flour, ground pecans, and zest; mix on low speed, scraping the bowl frequently, until the dough has just about pulled together, about 3 minutes; don't over mix.
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Press dough into tart pan. Use a flat-bottom glass to level surface. Brush the surface lightly with honey and sprinkle generously with coarse (demerara) sugar.
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Bake the cookie until golden on the bottom and edges and pale to golden on top, about 30 minutes.
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Remove from oven. Remove tart from pan by setting tart on a cutting board and cut into wedges while still hot. Carefully transfer wedges to a sheet pan and return to oven for another 15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
* ~ To toast pecans, place in a metal or glass baking pan and bake at 325˚F. for 22 minutes or until deep golden brown. Stir after 10 minutes.
DoLee Spurgeon says
I have made these yet, but all you had to say was "orange" and you had me. Will definitely be trying soon.
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy, DoLee!
Jessica Powers says
Made recipe to a "T", the finished dough was course crumbles, did not come together. Was more the consistency of a dessert bar base crust. I went ahead.with it after re-reading recipe to make sure I didnt miss something. Pressed into tart pan, and baked.
The taste is great, super crumbly though. Just too dry.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Jessica, it's difficult to say what went wrong without having been right there in the kitchen with you. Did you use 2 sticks of butter? With 8 ounces (two sticks) of butter and only 2¼ cups of flour, the dough should not be crumbly.
Amelia says
Hi Chris, wow..... very addictive shortbread cookies. I want 2 big pieces, please. I go make coffee now....
Beautiful click!
Magic of Spice says
I would not mind seeing shortbread daily 🙂 And how sweet of your hubby, the oranges do look wonderful, as do these gorgeous cookies!
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Shortbread are my favorite cookies. I bake it once a year because I eat it all! 🙂
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
You had me at shortbread!!! Love the addition of pecan and orange. Delish!!!!!!
Natalie says
They look perfect! Orange-pecan combo sounds delicious.
Cathleen says
Aw, how sweet of him to get you so many oranges!
This looks fantastic, I really want to make this sometime!
jean says
No need to apologize for the shortbread recipes--love the orange-pecan combo here. 🙂
Sue/the view from great island says
These look so perfect, Chris, I love that you cooked them in the tart pan, I'm going to try that with my next shortbread. That is the sweetest story!
Gloria says
These shortbreads look amazing!
AdriBarr says
I love shortbread, and this one sounds fabulous! And it is gorgeous. Really gorgeous. This is my first visit to your site. Congratulations - it looks wonderful.
Mary says
I adore shortbread, so I hope you continue to post away. There is no such thing as too much of a good thing. This looks and sounds delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Beth says
Your shortbread looks great. I clicked on the link to the raspberry muffins, and they sound amazing! What a great theme for your blog!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
These would be so lovely with a cup of tea.
bellini says
I can never get enough shortbread recipes from the Cafe.
Eri says
what can I say Chris, they look just breathtaking, delicious!
Happy New Year my friend!
Dining Alone says
What a sweet husband! This is definitely the time of the year to enjoy some oranges, we have an abundance here in AZ! Your cookies look delicious.
www.you-made-that.com says
Love citrus in my baked goods and this shortbread looks fabulous. I want a bite 🙂