Orange Drop Cookies

The other day I felt a little nostalgic for my teens. Kind of weird I know. But I wanted to badly to listen to the Judybats, hang out at Village Thrift with Kandell & Co., have a sleepover with Ali, and feel the humidity of a Ohio summer on my skin.

Here I am, fifteen plus years later, a mother of 3 and dealing with some considerable responsibilities (aren't we all?). It's overwhelming at times and perhaps that's why I found myself wishin' for the good ol' days :) Do you ever experiences waves of nostalgia too?

I consoled myself by making a cookie I enjoyed as a teenager. It's been YEARS since I've enjoyed an Orange Drop Cookie and I thought it high-time I whipped out a few dozen :) This recipe is fairly easy to make and calls for ingredients you are likely to have on hand.


Orange Drop Cookies

1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tablespoon fresh orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup buttermilk (click here for a substitution)

Cream brown sugar and margarine. Add eggs, orange peel and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, alternating with buttermilk. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Frost while still warm.

Frosting:

1 tablespoon orange zest

4 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice

3 tablespoons butter

Powdered sugar

Cream the butter and orange zest in a mixer (paddle attachment). Add 2 TB of the orange juice and about 3/4 to 1 cup of powdered sugar. Add the remaining orange juice. Continue mixing. Add enough powdered sugar to make it the desired consistency.