Nona's Not-So-Sweet Sugar Cookies

These have been in my family for as long as I can remember. They're really just known as "Nona's Sugar Cookies", but they're almost like a sweet shortbread - very different from a traditional sugar cookie. If you're into eating cookie dough, this stuff is the best EVER. My mother used to have to hide it from the kids while it chilled. For some reason, you can eat a bunch of it and never feel sick :-) My mother says she likes to put in 1/2 cup of orange juice and add flour to keep the necessary texture. The orange flavor really makes this cookie.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• 3  cups  sifted flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup butter
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1  tablespoon  orange rind
• 1⁄4 cup  fresh squeezed  orange juice

Directions

1. In small bowl, sift together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, soda; set aside.
2. Grate oranges to remove rind.
3. After grating, squeeze juice; set aside.
4. Cream together butter and sugar.
5. Blend in orange rind and fresh orange juice.
6. Add dry ingredients slowly and mix well.
7. wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (I usually chill longer).
8. Roll out on well-floured pastry cloth or cutting board. Use flour to keep the dough from sticking to fingers, board, etc.
9. Cut cookies with assorted cookie cuttesr.
10. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
11. Sprinkle with sugar, etc. (or whatever) before baking.
12. Bake at 400° for 5-7 minutes. Be careful, as these can go from almost done to burnt very quickly.
13. Makes approx 6 doz cookies, depending on the size of your cut-outs. I've never timed the prep process, as it's done in 2 stages.