Hello lovelies,
By now we will have all gathered that my family are a shortbread obsessed family… am I right? I think I’ve made that pretty clear with the shortbread recipes I’ve shared this year.
But do you know what started off our love affair with shortbread? CHRISTMAS! Before learning to make it myself, shortbread was a biscuit we’d only really ever eat around Christmas time. Every year we’d buy a couple of shortbread biscuit selection boxes which we would crack out on Christmas morning. So, to me, shortbread brings back Christmas morning memories.
But, I’ve already shared with you my ‘go-to’ shortbread recipe so, I wanted to give my shortbread a bit of a twist for today’s post.
Orange and walnut is a well known and loved combination by many, so when thinking of a cookie to pair this combo with, it only seemed right I make them into shortbread! The perfect Christmas twist on a already delicious recipe.
Do you like the sound of this? Do you fancy giving these a go yourself? Well, keep on scrolling as my quick and easy recipe is below;

Category: Sweet Treat
Serves: 20
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 Minutes
Overall Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients You Need:
- 8oz Of Unsalted Butter
- 4oz Of Caster Sugar
- 12oz Of Plain Flour
- 2tsp Of Orange Extract
- 100g Of Chopped Walnuts
- Icing Sugar
How To Make The Shortbread:
- Firstly, gather together your ingredients and equipment, line two baking trays with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 190C / 170C Fan / Gas Mark 5.
- Secondly, in a large bowl, beat together the 4oz of caster sugar with the 8oz of unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
- Mix in your 2tbsp of orange extract and 100g of chopped walnuts.
- Next, slowly add in your 12oz of flour. (TIP: if it resembles breadcrumbs and not a dough, add in a splash of milk and bind it together).
- Once a dough has been formed, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to around a 1cm thickness.
- Using a snowflake shaped cutter, cut out your shortbreads and place them onto the baking trays.
- Place the shortbread in the oven for around 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Once the shortbread are baked, allow to cool on baking tray for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Finally, sprinkle over some icing sugar.
That’s your Orange & Walnut Shortbread prepared, baked and ready for you to enjoy!

Who needs to buy shortbread when you can make your own? This recipe really is full-proof – it never lets me down!
What’s one biscuit that really gives you the Christmas feels and is nostalgic for you?
I really don’t think you can beat the feeling of munching on a delicious shortbread biscuit whilst taking a break from opening the pressies, it’s just the best!
Let me know in the comments below if you make these yourself and if you do, what your thoughts were. Did you enjoy them?
Sending you all tons of love & hugs as always,
Elle xo
I absolutely love shortbread, it’s something I treat myself with from time to time. I’m not a fan of walnuts or an orange taste outside of orange juice. So I think I’ll have to try this recipe the boring way, and skip the walnuts and orange
Author
Oh my days shortbread is just amazing isn’t it? We use to only have it around Christmas time so it’s really nostalgic to me. Yeah defiantly give it a go without the walnuts & orange flavouring – you could defiantly do them just plain (I’d add a bit of vanilla extract if you do them plain) or add your own twist on them. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
You can’t beat a nice shortbread with a cup of tea! Orange and walnut sounds like a really lovely flavour combo!
Author
You honestly can’t beat it. It’s such a nostalgic biscuit for me! This combo is absolutely delish. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
I love the snowflakes! I don’t think I have a snowflake cutter and now I feel the need to buy one aha. Sounds like a really lovely recipe – you should go on bake off 💕
Author
You can get snowflake cutters on Amazon for so cheap (cheaper then in stores). They are well worth having as I use them quite often around this time of year. Ah thank you lovely, my mum keeps nagging me to go on but the thought of it scares me ahahah. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
These look and sound amazing. I love shortbread. Going to have make them. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I just love shortbread, it’s just delicious isn’t it! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
I love this idea and the recipe is really simple and fast. These are the perfect Christmas cookies!
Author
Honestly this is such a quick and easy recipe. The outcome is really delicious! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
Oh man I lllooovvveeee shortbread! I don’t think there’s anything better than opening presents on Christmas morning though and eating shortbread biscuits. Love this idea 🙂 I’ve never heard of a walnut and orange flavour pairing though – yummy!
https://thetravelvine.blog/
Author
All my family just LOVE shortbread! Oh my god yes, Christmas morning shortbreads with a cup of tea are just dreamy. It’s such a delicious combo! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
Absolutely LOVE Shortbread! Such a super simple recipe too – perfect to make with kids!
Author
This is such a quick and easy recipe, takes no time and the outcome is just delicious. Little ones will love the cutting out of the snowflakes, it’s such fun! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
The addition of orange is a great idea and Christmas-y flavour. I love shortbread as my Mum has made it ever since I was a child. As I no longer live in the UK (where she is) it will be fun making these as it will be a taste of home!
Author
It’s such a lovely flavouring for this time of year isn’t it! Shortbread is such a nostalgic taste for me also. I hope you can bring those memories to life with this recipe! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
I love shortbread and the snowflakes you have made look gorgeous! I’m so excited to start holiday baking in the next couple weeks and will look back to this recipe!
Author
Christmas baking is just the best isn’t it? I love my snowflake cutter, I always get it out this time of year and cut everything into snowflakes ahah. Shortbread is just delicious and this combo is amazing. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
Mmmmm – I love shortbread and I have plenty of walnuts from our tree this year. I need to give these a go!
Author
Oooo fresh walnuts will taste delicious in these shortbreads! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
This sounds like a yummy twist on a classic favorite. I will have to give it a go. Thank you for sharing!
Author
This combo is honestly the perfect match with shortbread – just delicious. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
Short read was something I made growing up, with my nan. Christmas and shortbread are synonymous.
Author
Ah that’s so lovely. It seems to be a very nostalgic biscuit for a lot of people. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
This sounds like a really interesting recipe. I love biscuits so I would give these a try. Maybe swap the nuts for something else as I don’t like them! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Author
Yes defiantly, you don’t have to stick to my ingredients. You could add anything you like and these will still be delicious! Thank you so much for commenting Xo
Mmm this has made me hungry, gotta love a shortbread, will definitely have to try this out and maybe do some different flavours x
http://Www.nadinealex.blogspot.com
Author
You can’t beat it, can you? Defiantly! You don’t have to stick to my ingredients, feel free to change the flavourings as it’ll still be delicious. Thank you so much for commenting Xo
This is great and sounds delicious!
Author
They really are delicious! Thank you so much for commenting Xo