Fresh Orange Cookies

I don't know about you, but we ALWAYS have oranges lying around begging to be used up this time of the year! My little Makenzie will eat 4-5 a day if she's home and I like to have a couple, but it seems there are still plenty.  And I hate to see them go to waste! So this is my solution.... I just make cookies! They have to be "healthy" right? I mean, they are full of orange... a WHOLE orange.... peeling, the "white stuff" and all! I've always been told that the peeling and the "white stuff" of the orange is where the nutrients are.  However, I will spend an hour, if that's what it takes, to get as much of the "white stuff" off as possible before I eat the orange because I think it's rather bitter and because I'm just weird like that.  With these cookies, it's all hidden in there.  Oh my.....goodness! They are so soft and moist and chock full of orange goodness! I like them warm out of the oven, with a nice coating of glaze.  The kids love them.  I think they'll make a great addition to their lunch boxes when school starts back up on Monday...


Fresh Orange Cookies
adapted by From Cupboard to Cupboard
original recipe from "Old Fashioned Cookies"
printable recipe
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 unpeeled orange, finely chopped
Orange Glaze (recipe follows)

First, cut your washed orange into quarters.  Place the quarters into a blender or food processor {or by hand} and chop finely to equal to 3/4 cup chopped fruit.
Sift together flour, baking soda and salt.  In large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add egg and chopped orange; beat well.  Gradually blend in dry ingredients.  {at this point you could stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts if you prefer}... Cover and chill at least 1 hour.  Drop dough by teaspoons onto lightly greased {or SILPAT lined} cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Mine were perfect at 10 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  Spread cookies with orange glaze while cookies are still hot.
Yields: approximately 4 dozen cookies

Orange Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice { I roll the orange to soften it, cut in 1/2 then squeeze with open side up so seeds don't fall into mixture. I used the whole orange and got 2 Tbsp juice}
1 Tablespoon butter, softened
*you can add 1 tsp fresh grated orange peel also* {my family does not approve:)}

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth.


This recipe can be doubled.
I used a small cookie scoop and they were the perfect size and baked for 10 minutes.



Happy Cooking!

Teauna