Basil Orange Cookies Food

ORANGE AND BASIL BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the sugar and butter in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle. Cream the mixture until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix well before each addition. Add the orange zest and basil and blend on low speed, about 30 seconds.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture to the standing mixer and beat until combined. Fold in the almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half. Using floured hands, shape the dough into logs. Brush off the excess flour. Place the logs on the baking sheet, spaced 5 inches apart.
• Flatten each log into a 2-inch-wide strip. Bake the logs, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until browned and set, about 30 minutes. Transfer the logs to a cooling rack and cool, about 15 minutes.
• Reduce the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Transfer the logs to a work surface. Cut each log diagonally into 1/3-inch-thick slices using a serrated knife. Arrange the slices, cut-side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the slices, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until crisp, about 20 minutes. Transfer the slices to the cooling racks and let cool.
• The biscotti can be made 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

BASIL ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• in a large mixing bowl, cream the granulated sugar and the shortening for 3 minutes.
• add the eggs and continue beting until blended.
• add the milk, mixing thoroughly.
• sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
• add to the mixture.
• add the juice, rind and vanilla.
• then stir in the basil by hand.
• drop by heaping tspfuls onto greased cookie sheet, approximately 2" apart.
• bake for 10-12 minutes or until the top springs back when touched with your finger.
• remove to wire rack to cool.
• to make the frosting, combine all the ingredients except the pistachio nuts in a mixing bowl.and beat until smooth --
• the frosting should be rather thick, add more sugar as needed.
• spread a generous smear of frosting on each cookie and sprinkle on some pistachio nuts.
• pack the cookies in tins or plastic containers, using wax paper to serperate layers -- .

ICED ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in orange juice and peel.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
• Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.
• In a small bowl, combine icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cooled cookies.

ITALIAN ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cream the shortening then beat in the juice, sugar, orange extract and orange zest (mixture will appear curdled) until well combined. Blend in the eggs and beat well.
• Mix in all of the baking powder and flour, 1 cup at a time, blending well. Once you've added 6 cups of flour, add the remaining flour just until mixture can be rolled into a ball (batter will be sticky).
• Refrigerate the dough covered for several hours or even overnight.
• Fill a low dish with sifted icing sugar. Using a small cookie scoop. scoop several balls of the cold dough into a plate. Roll the cookies into a smooth ball then roll in the icing sugar. Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 " apart.
• Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, rotating the baking trays half way through the baking process. Do not overbake, cookies should be light in colour.