Orange Spice Shortbread Cookies

Let the record show I am not a cookie artist, but I own a ton of cookie cutters with hopes of one day being somewhat of an artist. Maybe. So, what’s a woman to do? I can’t let my cookie cutters collect dust so I use them to cut marshmallows and I use them to make the best shortbread cookies ever! I love shortbread because it’s a simple recipe that requires lots of butter. Actually, it’s all about the buttah! 🙂 To jazz up this recipe I added some orange zest and a little allspice, you know, because of the holidays and all. I couldn’t resist adding these two flavors because I absolutely love all things orange and spicy during the Christmas season.

Are you a fan of orange and spice during this time of year?

Orange Spice Shortbread Cookies adapted from the Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

3 sticks of butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 to 1 tsp of allspice ( depends on how spicy you want your cookies)

Zest from one orange ( about one tbsp)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, add the butter and the sugar and mix until creamed together. Once the butter and sugar have been creamed, mix in the vanilla extract, then the orange zest. In a second bowl, sift the flour, salt and allspice together. Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. On low speed, mix the dough together. Once the mixture comes together to form cookie dough consistency, place the cookie dough onto your countertop lightly dusted with flour. Roll the dough into a flat disk shape. Wrap the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

After the dough has chilled, roll the dough out to about a 1/2 thick and cut into your Christmas cookie shapes. Place the cookie cut-outs onto an un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool then serve or store in a sealed container.

Merry Christmas!

Tamara Eckles is a baker, blogger and radio host. She is the founder of Jem of the South, the place where you “Discover Something Sweet!” Join her adventures in baking on her blog and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!