Recipe: Basil Orange Cookies

My kids love these cookies.  A soft cake-like cookie full of orange flavour with a hint of fresh basil.  I frosted them with vanilla frosting as I didn't have any pistachio nuts and orange extract as called for in the original recipe.

This makes a huge batch of cookies (7 dozen) so you may want to half it unless you're feeding a crowd.  I'm going to freeze some of mine.  The longer they sit, the more prounounced the flavouring becomes.



BASIL ORANGE COOKIES
from "Heartland, The Best of the Old and the New from Midwest Kitchens"
by Marcia Adams
makes 7 dozen

Cookies
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening (I used unsalted butter)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cups orange juice (about 4 oranges squeezed)
3 tablespoons grated orange rind (about 2 oranges)
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup dried basil

Frosting
2 cups or more confectioner's sugar
1 table spoon butter, melted
2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
Pinch of salt
Chopped pistachio nuts, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, cream the granulated sugar and shortening (or butter) for 3 minutes.  Add the eggs and continue beating 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 teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, approximately 2 inches apart.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched with your finger.  Remove to a rack to cool.

To make the frosting, combine all the ingredients except the pictachio nuts in a mixer bowl, and beat until smooth.  The frosting should be rather thick; add more sugar if needed.

Spread a generous smear of frosting on each cookie and psrinkle on some pistachio nuts.  Pack the cookies in tins or plastic containers, using wax paper to seperate each layer.

Printable Copy

Enjoy!

from the book "Now We Are Six"

by A.A. Milne

with decorations by Ernest H. Shepard

1950 E.P. Dutton & Co, Inc.