Iced Citrus Crackle Cookie
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated citrus zest (Meyer or regular lemon, tangerine or lime)
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 3/4 teaspoon lemon extract (or use all orange extract for tangerine cookies)
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons colored sanding sugar (yellow, orange or green, depending on the flavor of the cookie)
- 1 tablespoon finely grated citrus zest (the same flavor of the cookie)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed citrus juice (the same flavor of the cookie)
- Evenly space the oven racks in the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. on the convection setting, if available.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Beat the butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high heat until smooth.
- Add the sugar and citrus zest and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- (The creaming is important to get a great texture so don't skimp here.)
- Add the yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the extracts.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing at low speed to make a soft dough.
- Scoop the dough into rounded heaping tablespoons with a cookie scoop or measuring spoon.
- Space the cookies about 2-inches apart on the prepared pans.
- Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- (The cookies can be frozen for up to 1 month.)
- Bake the cookies, straight from the freezer, until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack to cool.
- For icing: Mix the confectioners' sugar, colored sugar and appropriate flavored zest in a medium bowl.
- Add the citrus juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing.
- (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but keep in mind that if the icing is too loose it won't set.)
- Dip the rounded side of the cooled cookies into the icing; then let the excess icing fall back into the bowl.
- Dry cookies icing side up on a rack.
- Serve.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
unsalted butter, sugar, regular lemon, egg yolks, lemon, orange extract, flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, colored sanding sugar, freshly squeezed citrus juice
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/iced-citrus-crackle-cookie-recipe2.html (may not work)