These cranberry shortbread squares are sweet and crumbly, biscuit-like, squares that just melt in your mouth. Semolina creates a unique crumbly texture that is hard to resist. And, cranberry adds that hint of the sweet and sour taste. Made with simple and easy ingredients, these take five minutes to mix and require no special tools.
For me, it's the season of shortbread. Throughout the year I make lots of cookies but during fall I tend to make more shortbreads, bars, squares, and barks. Is it just me or do these just make you feel so much like Christmas?
Perhaps it's because growing up mom took orders for these during the Christmas season so she made more of these and you know I tend to do the same. I don't take orders but I do give a lot of holiday treats as gifts.
Table of Content
About this shortbread
These cranberry shortbread squares are sweet and crumbly with a biscuit-like texture and are the easiest gifts you can make when you are short on time. You don't need any fancy mixers or pans. Just a bowl and a spatula are all it takes to mix all ingredients and bake for 30 minutes.
Now, I must warn you that these are extremely addictive so if you like shortbread, make extra or you won't have any to add to the gift bags.
Holiday gifts for the season
These do make simple, easy, and wonderful gifts for the holidays to family and friends. Last year I gave a few of these to the kids’ teachers as gifts and they loved it. The second package below is my ginger shortbread with molasses bars which I shared with you last week as well.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Semolina - is the coarse purified wheat middlings of durum wheat used to make pasta and couscous. These days it is available in most supermarkets in the baking aisle. If you can't find semolina you may also use rice flour. The rice flour gives a more crispy texture to the squares while the semolina has a crumbly texture. Both are equally delicious.
- Unsalted butter - I always use unsalted butter for baking but if salted butter is all you have - use it and just omit the salt in the recipe.
- Vanilla - A good quality vanilla goes a long way especially in recipes like this where its flavor really shines thru.
- Cranberries - I love using dried as well as semi-dried plump cranberries. You can also use other dry fruits of course. Try dates, figs, and apricots. Just chop them into small pieces.
- Powdered sugar - this works great because it instant is absorbed into the butter enhancing that crumbly texture.
Step by step instructions (pin)
- Preheat oven to 170C / 340 F.
- Line a 9 x 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
- Cream sugar and powdered sugar. Add the egg and combine well.
- Next, add the semolina, salt, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour. Combine well.
- Spread evenly the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the edges start to get slightly golden
- Remove and let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- While still warm - cut into 16 squares as shown in the video
- Enjoy!
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Recipe
Semolina Cranberry Shortbread Squares
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Ingredients
- 4 0z (113 grams) Unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup (90 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 Egg large
- ¼ cup (40 g) Semolina
- 1 ½ cup (190 g) All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¾ cup (75 g) Cranberries dried
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170C / 340 F
- Line a 9 x 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
- Cream sugar and powdered sugar. Add the egg and combine well.
- Next, add the semolina, salt, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour. Combine well.
- Spread evenly the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the edges start to get slightly golden
- Remove and let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- While still warm - cut into 16 squares as shown in the video
- Enjoy!
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Mary
Can i use this without semolina? and just use all purpose flour for the semolina equivalent? thank you in advance
Veena Azmanov
Semolina adds a nice crumbly texture to this shortbread recipe but yes, you an also use just all-purpose flour
Quyen
I cannot believe how easy these were to make. I made three batches of these to give as gifts - In one I made the exact recipe. I added cocoa powder to the second for a chocolate version and in the third, I added nuts. It was perfect.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much, Quyen. So happy you had success with this recipe and that you enjoyed making these so much. Your chocolate and nuts version sounds wonderful. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Appreciate it very much. I love hearing from those who try my recipes.
Denay DeGuzman
These cranberry shortbread squares look so delicious! A perfect recipe for the holidays.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Denay.
Marisa Franca
We always have semolina in our house and these cranberry shortbread squares would be great to serve at Thanksgiving along with the other desserts. I like individual servings and I could put some in a gift bag so the guests could take some home. Great recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Marisa
Camilla Hawkins
I bet these shortbread square taste amazing and very short! Love the addition of semolina and the cranberries!
Veena Azmanov
Very amazing Camila.