Last year, I made some brown butter cookies using Orange Daim bars that I found at IKEA. My mom declared them some of the best cookies she’s ever had. I couldn’t find those same orange Daim bars this year, but I knew I had to make something chocolate orange again, in an effort to make my mom more of the best cookies she’s ever had. She said the same about these, and it’s all thanks to old reliable: a smash orange.
My parents have been insisting we do a “Low-Key Christmas” this year, as my family has a tendency to go a bit overboard on gift giving. And I’m all for not breaking the bank on gift giving. But by golly, with the way this December has gone for everyone in our family, I am determined to make the rest of Christmas HIGH KEY! Meaning plenty of cookies! Christmas light shows! Christmas cheer!!!! HAUL OUT THE HOLLY.
So as part of my determination to make this Christmas HIGH KEY in spirit (even if lowkey in gift-giving), I wanted to make sure everyone in my family gets a cookie that is right up their alley. I knew this one would be a particular hit with my mom. (And myself!)
These cookies, unlike the brown butter ones from last year, truly could not be any simpler. They’re similar to Mexican wedding cakes in that they are just butter, flour, and sugar. Add some salt and your mix-ins, and you’re good to go. They’re also incredibly easy to portion out, because you form the dough into a log and then can just slice off cookies. It also makes it easy to bake them fresh – just keep the log of dough in your fridge and have fresh-baked shortbread every night. What could be more more Merry Christmas??? Also, nothing says Christmas more than simple and easy. No need to overcomplicate!
The original recipe I took inspiration from uses Toblerone chunks instead of smash orange. I think this would obviously be delicious as well, if for some crazy reason you’re not a chocolate and orange person. I think we would have some fundamental differences if you aren’t. But to each their own I guess. The human experience is diverse.
Also, of note to those who read through to the end of all these posts: this is my 75th post of 2024! My goal was to post once a week, and that has been blown that out of the water! At least some goals this year have been achieved.
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PinIngredients
1 cup salted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 chopped smash orange
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer cream the butter and brown sugar together until soft and fluffy.
- In a bowl whisk together the flour and salt. Then add these dry ingredient to the butter mixture, 1 cup at a time, and beat well each time.
- Chop your smash orange, and add to the batter. Don’t mix too much, just until they are incorporated.
- You will find the dough quite dry, but don’t worry it’s supposed to be like that. Just mix the dough with your hands until if firms up into a ball.
- Once the dough is firm, roll it in parchment paper to make a log 2″ in diameter. Wrap tightly.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but up to a week.
- When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Use a thin sharp knife to cut the log into 1/4″ slices, and bake for 10-11 minutes.
- Once done baking, let the cookies sit for about 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.