Old-fashioned Orange Cookies

As the granddaughter of a baker, I love cookie season! I enjoy trying new recipes and filling the house with many, many dozens of treats to deliver to friends and family. This recipe came from my first ever cookie exchange when (gulp) I actually bought cookies from my grandfather's bakery instead of making my own. If you are intimidated by cookies like I was, try organizing a community or work cookie exchange; it is a great way to score some good recipes!

INGREDIENTS:

Cookie Ingredients

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 T orange rind (Valencia orange rinds provide the most flavor)
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 t each: salt, baking powder, baking soda

Icing Ingredients

• 2 1/2 T butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar (I've had success with Domino)
• 1 1/2 T orange juice
• 2 t orange rind

DIRECTIONS:

Cookies (4 dozen, 2-inch cookies)

1. Mix shortening, sugar, and eggs until creamy.
2. Stir in orange rind and orange juice.
3. Blend in dry ingredients.
4. Drop by teaspoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes.

Cookie Icing

1. Mix the butter until creamy.
2. Slowly add confectioners sugar and orange juice.
3. Mix until blended well.
4. Stir in orange rind.

Note: I recommend investing in a grater; mine is handheld with a container to collect the rind.

Difficulty: Medium (you do have to grate an orange)

Time: Start to finish about an hour

Source: Work Cookie Exchange