Use only a pinch of clove; its strong aroma should support the orange rather than dominate it.
Orange zest and a whisper of clove flavor a pressed dough whose comb-marked surface bakes into crisp, narrow ridges.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Clove Orange Comb-Pressed Shortbread Recipe
Follow the tray sizes, portions and baking intervals in the instructions below.
Total time includes hands-on preparation, required chilling or resting, whole-batch cooking, cooling and finishing.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- mixer
- pastry comb or fork
- knife
- baking sheets
- parchment
Ingredients
US measures are approximate. Gram weights help keep portions consistent; spice weights vary with density.
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Prepare the ingredients: Rub orange zest into the sugar.
Make the dough or filling
- Make the dough or filling: Beat with butter until smooth; mix in flour, clove and salt.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Roll dough into two logs about 1 inch thick.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Press each with a clean pastry comb or fork, then slice into 24 short bars.
Chill the dough
- Chill the dough: Chill 25 minutes.
Bake and set
- Bake and set: Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 16–19 minutes until the ridges are lightly colored; cool on the sheet.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Ingredient science
Zest only the orange-colored peel; the white pith can taste bitter.
Technique & texture
Press the comb gently so the ridges remain shallow and the bars bake evenly.
Finishing & serving
Keep slices similar in length to avoid overbaking the narrow ends.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | up to 7 days | Airtight at room temperature up to 7 days. |
| Refrigeration | As described | No refrigeration needed for the plain cookies. |
| Raw freezing | up to 1 month | Freeze shaped logs tightly wrapped up to 1 month. thaw until sliceable. |
| Baked freezing | up to 2 months | Freeze baked comb bars up to 2 months. |
| Restoring | As described | Thaw uncovered at room temperature before serving. |
Notes
- Scale ingredients, including US measures, without changing cookie size or oven temperature. Extra trays increase whole-batch time.
Nutrition
Approximate values per portion from the listed ingredient weights divided into 24 equal portions. Includes required fillings and finishes. Brands, unused coatings and actual portion size affect the estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can replace a pastry comb?
Use the back of a fork to make parallel lines along each dough log.
Can I increase the clove?
The measured pinch is intentional; stronger clove can mask the citrus and butter.
Why chill after shaping?
It firms the ridges and reduces spreading during the bake.
