This recipe is junior Ella Pickell’s favorite for any time of year. “They taste amazing and have a cake-like texture,” said Pickell. These cookies are soft, flavorful, and are a refreshing break from the regular flavors of chocolate and vanilla. The combination of the pillowy cookie and the tangy yet sweet buttercream icing is nothing short of phenomenal. Is orange flavor not your favorite? No worries, these cookies are very versatile. “You can make them with lemon zest and juice, lime zest and juice, pretty much anything,” said Pickell. No matter the flavor, these cookies are easy to bake and undeniably delicious. Orange you glad Ella Pickell has this recipe?

Ingredients

For Dough:

11 tablespoons unsalted butter

¾ cup sugar

1 large egg

½ cup orange juice

2 tablespoons of grated orange rind (zest)

½ teaspoon of baking powder

½ teaspoon of baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

For Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon grated orange rind

3 tablespoons orange juice

Directions:

Dough:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease or line with parchment two baking sheets.

2. To make the dough: In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until light. Beat in the egg, then the orange juice and zest, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and stir in the flour.

3. Put the dough by tablespoonful onto the baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes, until they’re just starting to brown. Remove them and cool.

Icing:

1. In a medium bowl, cream the powdered sugar, butter, and orange zest together.

2. Stir in the orange juice, add more if necessary in order to make a spreadable icing.

3. Spread the icing on the cookies once they have cooled.