ORANGE PEELS
Level 2
Florida Sunshine Sugar Cookies
yields 4 dozen cookies
Orange zest imparts a lovely citrus quality in cookie dough or icing.
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp. vanilla or orange extract
1/2 tsp. orange zest
2 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour
½ tsp. salt
Cookware required: cookie cutter forms and rolling pin
Decorating tips: cinnamon sugar, unsweetened coconut flakes (chopped, toasted nuts such as almonds or pine nuts)
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, using a hand held mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla; blend in the zest.
- In a separate bowl, mix together baking power and flour. Add to batter mixture in small batches, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until thoroughly mixed.
- Split dough in half, placing each on a sheet of wax paper. Roll into two separate packets; chill in fridge for 2 hours or overnight.
- Take dough out of refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes to soften. On a floured surface, roll out dough with a lightly floured rolling pin to 1/2" thickness. Press cookie cutter forms into dough, cutting out forms. Arrange on a greased cookie sheet, and bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container.
