finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
    • Full Recipe Index
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Whatcha Need??
    • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me & More
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips
    • Tips for Liver Detox / Gut Health Protocol

Whole Wheat Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies

December 9, 2018

A couple years ago, my sister sent me an email out of nowhere with this recipe and a note that said “This has to be on your blog!”  And I’ll be honest…it kind of took me a while to get to it.

But I played around with the recipe, making for a co-worker on maternity leave, for my own personal consumption, and then to take to work.  And somehow never got around to posting the final version that I love dearly.

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | these healthy whole wheat shortbread cookies are super easy and delicious, egg-free cookies. | finding time for cooking blog

And guys, these cookies are weird.  They have no leavening agent and no eggs…which shouldn’t work, but it totally does.  In fact, they could be vegan if you substituted coconut oil for butter (though I haven’t tried that from a texture standpoint).

Side note, this cookie dough is AMAZING.  Like, try not to eat it all raw before baking it, I DARE YOU.  And because there are no eggs, you don’t have to worry about raw egg in it (which…I don’t, but I know some people do).

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | finding time for cooking blog

One of the great things about this kind of recipe, where you make the dough into a log and then slice pieces off, is that you can make parts of it at a time super easily.  So the last time I made this, I baked up about half the dough right after dinner, and then two days later sliced up the rest and baked it when I had my whole family over for dinner again.  Bonus points because they’re really quite healthy.

Crushing. It.

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | finding time for cooking blog

I’ve included some extra notes and tips at the bottom with the recipe, so make sure to check those out.  Preheat the oven to 350 F.  If your pan isn’t non-stick, line it with parchment paper or Silpat.  To prepare, toast the pistachios on stove top in a pan for about 5-7 minutes or in the oven, stirring once or twice in the middle so that it doesn’t burn.  I like to give my cranberries a rough chop too, just to make the dough easier to cut later.

Cream together the butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange extract or orange zest with an electric mixer.  Add one cup of the flour and the salt and stir in with a wooden spoon (a beater will make it too tough).  Then add the rest of the flour and stir in.  Stir in the cranberries and pistachios.  The dough will likely be a little crumbly, but that’s okay.

Turn the dough out onto some plastic wrap and use your hands to shape it into a long log.  Wrap it tightly with the plastic wrap or parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  You can’t skip this step!!

When you’re ready to bake, use a serrated knife to cut each log into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch slices and arrange on the baking sheet.  Do not use a “see-saw” motion while cutting it because the dough will just crumble.  Just use the knife to cut down hard once.  There will still be some crumbling, but you can squish it back together.

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | finding time for cooking blog

Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until lightly browned.  The cookies don’t change much in the oven, so you’ll have to use their judgment to know when they’re done.

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | finding time for cooking blog

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | finding time for cooking blog

These keep really well for several days, as long as they’re in an airtight container or Ziploc.  Also note, these are naturally unleavened, so great for the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Whole Wheat Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

  • 3/4 cup of butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup of white sugar
  • 1/8 cup of maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 cup of dried cranberries (I give them a rough chop to break them up)
  • 1/2 cup of chopped pistachios, toasted
  • A splash of orange extract (zest from 1-2 oranges is great too)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.  If your pan isn’t non-stick, line it with parchment paper or Silpat.
  2. Toast the pistachios on stove top in a pan for about 5-7 minutes or in the oven, stirring once or twice in the middle so that it doesn’t burn.
  3. Cream together the butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange extract or orange zest with an electric mixer.
  4. Add one cup of the flour and the salt and stir in with a wooden spoon (a beater will make it too tough).  Then add the rest of the flour and stir in.
  5. Stir in the cranberries and pistachios.  The dough will likely be a little crumbly, but that’s okay.
  6. Turn out onto some plastic wrap and use your hands to shape it into a long log.  Wrap it tightly with the plastic wrap or parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  You can’t skip this step!!
  7. When you’re ready to bake, use a serrated knife to cut each log into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch slices and arrange on the baking sheet.  Do not use a “see-saw” motion while cutting it because the dough will just crumble.  Just use the knife to cut down hard once.  There will still be some crumbling, but you can squish it back together.
  8. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until lightly browned.  The cookies don’t change much in the oven, so you’ll have to use their judgment to know when they’re done.

Notes:

  • You need to use either whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour in this recipe to get tender and crispy cookies; regular (hard) whole wheat flour will not be suitable for these cookies.
  • The maple syrup doesn’t provide a maple flavor (which is fine by me); if you want that, you should substitute maple extract for the vanilla extract.
  • The number of cookies you will get depends upon how thin or thick you slice the dough.  I prefer mine a tad thicker, so I only get like 30-35 cookies out of this.
  • My sister adds 4 drops of doTERRA’s wild orange essential oil (which is food-grade) to the butter and sugar before creaming together, rather than the orange extract or zest.

Original recipe here

Other (slightly less healthy) cookie recipes I love:

  • The Absolute Best, Easiest Classic Shortbread (Plain or Flavored)
  • The Best Ever Soft Molasses Cookies
  • Brown Butter Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies
  • Salted Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Almond Cherry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
  • You might also like these savory rosemary parmesan shortbreads

Pin this image!

Cranberry Pistachio Orange Shortbread Cookies | these healthy whole wheat shortbread cookies are super easy and delicious, egg-free cookies. #cookies #recipe #wholewheat #cranberry #pistachio #orangeextract

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Desserts, Foods I'm Obsessed With, Super Healthy

« One-Pot Yellow Cauliflower Chickpea Curry (vegan)
Peanut Butter Banana Bread »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

This air fryer frozen salmon is in the running for This air fryer frozen salmon is in the running for "meal I make the most"...once I found a great source of high-quality frozen salmon filets, mastering how to cook them quickly in my air fryer *from frozen* was the next step. No weird thawed mushy watery texture here...just a delicious, healthy, fast weeknight dinner!

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to see how to make it!
#salmonrecipe #airfryer #airfryerrecipes #weeknightdinner
This grapefruit cardamom gin cocktail is the perfe This grapefruit cardamom gin cocktail is the perfect drink to ease our descent from summer into fall...bright, tart, and balanced with a bit of warm spice!

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking

#gincocktails #drinkrecipes #grapefruit #cocktailrecipes
This Asian-inspired ground chicken (or turkey) has This Asian-inspired ground chicken (or turkey) has become a weeknight go-to for me, and makes awesome leftovers that I don't find an excuse not to eat at the office 😜

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the (like, 10-minute) recipe!

#mealprep #leftovers #groundchicken #asianinspired
Remember that blueberry simple syrup I talked abou Remember that blueberry simple syrup I talked about a few weeks ago?? Yeahhhh it also makes a pretty awesome twist on a gin smash cocktail. 

To get the recipe, click the link on my IG bio and tap on this photo --> @findingtimeforcooking
#gincocktails #blueberries #easycocktails #drinkrecipes
This super easy coffee cake is packed with fresh a This super easy coffee cake is packed with fresh apricots and dark cherries--the perfect way to use your late summer stone fruit bounty! It's also pure comfort food, with the most addictive cinnamon crumble topping 😍

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the full recipe!
#coffeecake #apricots #brunchgoals #darkcherry
Meet your new summer iced coffee fave 🎉 I'm see Meet your new summer iced coffee fave 🎉 I'm seeing espresso tonic pop up on menus all over the U.S., and this blueberry basil espresso tonic takes things to a whole new level! It's super easy to make, refreshing, and unique...the perfect afternoon pick-me-up or mocktail any day.

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to see the recipe! -->@findingtimeforcooking
#espressotonic #mocktails #icedcoffeerecipe #espresso
Even though I tend to consider blueberries a mid-t Even though I tend to consider blueberries a mid-tier berry at best, I've been a tad bit obsessed with this blueberry simple syrup the past month or so...it's easy & versatile, and makes delicious iced coffee drinks, cocktails, and more. And yes, those recipes are forthcoming 😜

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the (super fast & easy) recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#blueberries #blueberrysyrup #simplesyrup #foodblogfeed
This super easy one-bowl cake is kind of like an a This super easy one-bowl cake is kind of like an all-in-one strawberry 🍓 shortcake...just top with fresh whipped cream! A great way to use up juicy strawberries that are starting to go soft, and a perfect summer dessert.

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#strawberries #summerdessert #easydessert #bakingfromscratch
I've been on a roll with new summer cocktails late I've been on a roll with new summer cocktails lately, and this apricot mint gin cocktail is a WINNER. The key is an apricot syrup made from roasting fresh apricots (for a cake, which is also amazing), rather than a brandy or liqueur. Trust me, it's worth that extra step!!

Get the recipe by clicking on the link in my IG bio and tapping on this photo! 
#summerdrink #gincocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailrecipes
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Garlicky Spinach & Chicken Pasta with Goat Cheese

One-Bowl Easy King Cake

Staving Off Scurvy (Orange Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing)

One-Bowl Yogurt and Honey Olive Oil Cake

Easy Almond Flour Pancakes (Naturally Gluten-Free, Keto, Low Carb)

Recent Posts

  • How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer…a…
  • Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Cocktail
  • Asian-Inspired Ground Chicken or Turkey…Perf…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food
  • Uncategorized

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2023 Finding Time For Cooking

35 shares