Russian Orange Drop Cookies

Submitted by Crafty Lady 13

"This is a "cakey" cookie recipe that I found years ago in an old cookbook that I bought at a garage sale. According to the book, these are traditional cookies served in Russia for the Christmas holiday."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 36

ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup shortening
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1⁄2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• For the icing

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookies sheets.
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir 1/2 cup orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest into the flour mixture.
3. Cream shortening and sugar together. Mix egg into the sugar mixture thoroughly. Slowly blend flour mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.
5. Make the icing: Mix confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons butter together until smooth. Pour 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest into the sugar and butter mixture, mix well. When the cookies have cooled, spread the icing generously over the tops of the cookies.
6. Tip: I often use fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh orange zest. When using fresh orange zest, I usually double the amount to 2 teaspoons.

Reviews

[jdv2779]

These were unique and delicious. A wonderful light cookie for after a big meal or in the afternoon with tea. I needed to bake for a Russian Christmas party and came across this recipe, which is so tasty I will be making these again! Followed recipe except I did not have time to frost them all so instead spooned the frosting on top and put some sprinkles on it. Also added a tiny bit of food coloring to make the dough a pale orange, might do this again next time but to the frosting.

 

[Mrs. Cassandra Foxx]

I really liked these! the icing complements well, and they are a very light and delicate feeling cookie. They're not too heavy, which I really liked for my summer fishing trip. Everyone liked them, they are a such a pretty color and I will be making these again soon. The only thing I did different was flatten them a bit before baking, they turned out very lovely. I used one large orange for the fresh juice and zest. Thanks for posting CL! :)

 

[mliss29]

Delicious! I made half a batch because I try not to have too many goodies lying around and it's a good (or bad?) thing I did. These are great. Definite danger of eating the whole batch! lol. I did add a little water to the icing because as stiff as mine had turned out it wouldn't have spread on these semi-delicate cookies. Thanks for the yummy treat! Reviewed for ZWT4.

 

[krisvanhees]

Decided to try some new recipes for x-mas cookies and really liked how these turned out - loved the citrus taste and of course the yummy icing.