Saint Barbara cookies (Lebanese)

Traditional Lebanese Cookies for Saint Barbara's Day

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup  cooking oil
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon  orange juice
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄3 cup honey
• 1⁄3 cup  finely chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In mixer bowl, beat cooking oil into butter until blended, beat in sugar.
2. Add orange juice, baking powder and baking soda, mix well.
3. Add flour, a little at a time, to make a soft dough.
4. Shape dough into 2-inch ovals and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
6. Cool pastries on rack.
7. Meanwhile Prepare Natif topping: In a saucepan, combine the 3/4 cup sugar, honey and 1/2 cup water, bring to a boil.
8. Boil gently, uncovered for 5 minutes.
9. Dip cooled pastries into the warm syrup.
10. Sprinkle immediately with nuts.
11. Dry on wire rack.