Orange Drop Cookies

They say one song can bring back 1000 memories.  I think one bite of an orange drop cookie can do the same thing.  They are so soft and melting.  They aren’t hugely sweet, but they make you want to savor each bite as it melts against your tongue.

This recipe is from mom’s recipe box.  When I was young, these were my favorite cookies.  I think she always had a container in the freezer, because they weren’t just my favorite, they were Julie’s too.  Sometimes it feels like such a pain to make drop cookies, but mom never seemed to find it a hassle.  I don’t remember having them during the Christmas baking frenzy; they were a spring/summer treat.  They looked like the season, fresh and light.  They were an ivory color, but those flecks of orange from the grated orange peel added the perfect dress-up quality.

It’s funny about memories though, I don’t think I’ve ever made a batch of these.  These were mom’s cookies to make, not mine.  Why do we get stupid ideas like that?  I know people aren’t eating sweets like they used to, but these cookies will make them rethink that policy.  I like to think of them on a tea table (yes, I’ve been watching a lot of BBC programming lately), or a bridal shower, or on my hand headed for my mouth.  You get the picture.

½ cup Crisco

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon grated orange rind

½ cup orange juice

2 ½ cups flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Cream Crisco and sugar.

Beat in eggs, then orange rind and orange juice.

Stir in dry ingredients.

Drop on greased cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until delicately browned.  Frost with orange icing while warm.  This makes about 3 dozen.

Frosting:  This is enough for  a double batch of cookies

2 boxes powdered sugar (2 pounds)

2 cubes softened butter

2 tablespoons orange rind

Orange juice to right consistency

*  From the Recipe box

This is another recipe mom made for years and years.  It was my favorite when I was a kid and I think Julie’s as well.  They were just pleasing in the mouth.  They had an intense orange flavor without being too sweet.  I may have to make a batch right now!

If there is any frosting left, I put it in a zip lock bag in the freezer and eventually put it on top of a bundt cake or something equally deserving.

and remember:  According to Peter Pan all the world is made of faith, trust and pixie dust.  Big kiss, Lynn