A Sugar Cookie with a Secret
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 19:48
Our two and a half year old daughter has never met a cookie she didn’t like, however she does draw the line at eating raisins in cookies. She will eat the cookie all around the raisin, but will eave behind the raisin itself.
One of her favorite cookies to have us bake is this Sugar Cookie recipe. This is mostly because she gets to cut out the cookies using the cutter shapes of her choice and assist with the decorating.
This is especially fun for us because we get to do something that we like to do and share the activity with her as well. She gets a kick out of helping and of course we all have the added benefit of eating the sugar cookies later.
We bake these cookies all year long, but at Christmas we have them waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve along with a glass of ice-cold milk. This recipe will stay softer than many sugar cookie recipes and the secret addition of orange makes them a special treat — one that will be different from all your neighbors Christmas cookies!
We think this is one cookie that every cookie monster should have in his or her cookie jar.
Ingredients
¼ cup butter
½ cup butter flavor shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon orange oil
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Preparation
In a large mixing bowl cream together butter, shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla, orange oil and orange peel. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in small amounts until blended well. Refrigerate 1 hour or over night.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough to ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured board. Cut cookies with a 3” round cutter. (Different cutter shapes can be used but baking time may need to be adjusted.) Baked on an ungreased cookie sheet for 7-10 minutes or until cookies a lightly brown on the edges. When still hot from the oven, sprinkle the tops with additional granulated sugar, or when cool, top with your favorite vanilla frosting. Makes approximately 24 cookies.
Fun Fact:
The tradition of leaving cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve began in the United States in the 1930’s
5 star foodie says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
My daughter LOVES cookies also, and will eat anything in a cookie, raisins included. These sugar cookies look delicious!
5 star foodie’s last blog post..Sweet Potato Soup with Sage and Pecans
varsha says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
looks lovely peppercorn..:)
varsha’s last blog post..Dry Prawns in a Coconut-Drumstick Gravy..
Kristen says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Nice. Do you know if it really needs to be butter-flavored shortening, or can it be just regular shortening? I use that super-organic-hippie business shortening from Whole Foods which only comes as plain.
Kristen’s last blog post..I really do say this every year:
Peppercorn Press says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hi Kristen — you may certainly use unflavored shortening, it just won’t have the same buttery taste.
Fiona says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Quite simply divine!
Lauren says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 am
These sound great – I’m about to start ‘test’ baking this weekend and will add these to my list!
Jen says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:19 am
So important to have a sugar cookie recipe on hand for the holidays. Thanks for sharing!
Jen’s last blog post..indecisive? try a threesome.
The Duo Dishes says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
We agree. It’s the orange zest that makes sugar cookies over the top. Any zest probably!
The Duo Dishes’s last blog post..It’s Not Delivery
Diana says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
That sounds so yummy! Do you think it could be good without the orange oil? Our budget right now doesn’t allow for “special” cooking ingredients.
Diana’s last blog post..Eric’s set up for my cooking
Peppercorn Press says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hi Diana – Yes, these cookies can be made without the orange oil. You can get a similar flavor by substituting orange extract at a fraction of the cost. Or, make up the difference with additional vanilla. It will reduce the orange flavor, but still be delicious!
Peppercorn Press’s last blog post..Cheese Makes a Comeback!
shibani says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Oh these are so lovely cookies and orange is a great flavour.
shibani’s last blog post..Dalma ( lentils with vegetables ) – An Oriya delight
Lainie Petersen says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I hate raisins myself, so I am in full sympathy with your daughter. But these cookies look great! I’d love to have them with a nice cup of black tea from Yunnan.
Lainie Petersen’s last blog post..Dolfin Milk Chocolate With Green Sencha Tea (review)
Liz says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 am
The cookies were amazing!! Easy with a whole lot of flavor…. Only one thing the recipe instuctions didn’t state when to put the sugar in!!
Peppercorn Press says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Liz – Thanks for letting us know we missed adding “sugar” in the directions. The post was fixed… sugar is to be added at the same time as shortening, butter, eggs and flavor. Sorry for the confusion! We are so happy you enjoyed these cookies!