If you’ve ever visited Disneyland Resort and indulged in their shortbread cookies, you know they’re a magical treat. These Disneyland-inspired shortbread cookies are perfectly crisp and buttery, with a delightful burst of orange zest in the dough and a decadent white chocolate coating. It’s like biting into a little piece of Disney magic! ✨
Here’s a recipe to recreate these delicious cookies right at home! And trust me, that orange zest is a game changer. Let’s make some magic in your kitchen! 🍊💫
Ingredients:
- 2 cups butter, softened
- **2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 large orange (fresh zest is key here!)
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 20 ounces white chocolate (for coating, chopped or in chips)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cream the butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This may take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer or stand mixer. It should look pale and smooth.
- Add egg whites and flavorings:
- Add the 2 egg whites and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate the orange zest:
- Zest one large orange (be sure to only get the colorful outer peel and not the bitter white pith). Add the orange zest into the dough. The zest will infuse the dough with a fragrant citrus flavor that really sets these cookies apart.
- Add the flour:
- Gradually add the 5 cups of all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Start mixing at a low speed to avoid a flour cloud, then increase to medium. Continue mixing until the dough comes together and is smooth.
- Shape the dough:
- Take a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten it slightly into a round cookie shape, about 1/4 inch thick. For even sizing, you can use a cookie scoop. Place each cookie about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly due to the sugar content. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt the white chocolate:
- While the cookies are cooling, melt the 20 ounces of white chocolate. You can melt it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until fully smooth and melted. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler on the stovetop.
- Coat the cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, dip the edges or half of the cookie into the melted white chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off, then place the cookies back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Let the chocolate set:
- Let the white chocolate set at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes or until it hardens completely. For a quicker set, place the cookies in the fridge for a few minutes.
Optional Add-ins:
- Sprinkles: Once the white chocolate has been applied, you can sprinkle the cookies with colorful sprinkles (especially fun for a holiday or special occasion).
- Crushed nuts: For extra texture, chopped pistachios or almonds would be delicious with the white chocolate.
- Citrus glaze: If you’re extra citrus-y, you can drizzle a little orange glaze over the white chocolate after it sets for an even stronger citrus flavor!
Tips for the Best Cookies:
- Room temperature butter is key. If it’s too soft, the dough will be too greasy and spread too much, and if it’s too cold, the dough won’t come together properly.
- Don’t skip the chilling time for the white chocolate—letting it firm up a bit makes these cookies a lot easier to handle and keeps the chocolate from melting into the cookie.
- Even baking: Keep the oven racks in the center of the oven to ensure even heat distribution, so all the cookies bake evenly.
Benefits:
- Buttery goodness: These cookies have that perfect balance of buttery richness with a delightful citrus twist that elevates the flavor to something special.
- Simple ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy, but the combination of orange zest and white chocolate makes these cookies taste like something straight out of a bakery.
- Fun for the family: These are a great activity for kids to help with! Let them roll the dough and dip the cookies in chocolate (with some supervision, of course).
Q & A:
Q: Can I use a different citrus zest instead of orange? A: Absolutely! You can swap the orange zest for lemon, lime, or grapefruit for a slightly different citrus profile. Just be sure to adjust the zesting to your liking.
Q: How can I store these cookies? A: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week. If you’re planning to keep them longer, store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze these cookies for up to 2 months—just be sure to let the white chocolate set completely before freezing.
Q: Can I make these without the white chocolate coating? A: Yes! If you prefer, you can skip the white chocolate coating and just enjoy the buttery, citrusy shortbread cookies on their own. They’ll still be delicious without it!
Q: Can I make these into cut-out cookies? A: Yes, absolutely! Chill the dough for about 30 minutes, then roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes, then bake as directed. Just be careful not to overbake, as thin cookies can cook faster.
These Disneyland Resort-inspired shortbread cookies will transport you straight to the happiest place on earth with every bite. The orange zest really makes them stand out from your usual shortbread recipe, and the white chocolate coating takes them over the top. Perfect for a special treat or a magical baking session with the family! ✨🍊