Orange Drop Cookies

This recipe is a terrific Christmas cookie recipe. Although I found the index card for this recipe in Mom's recipe box, it is not her handwriting, so I suspect she got the recipe from someone after tasting these tasty cookies. The orange flavor is delicious and festive for the holiday season, but could be delicious any time of year. This recipe yields a lot of cookies, about six dozen. The cookies freeze well, so they can be saved for later.

The recipe is quite simple. I used all butter, instead of shortening and margarine. The recipe does not specify which type of nuts to use. I used hazelnuts, but many other nuts could be used or you could leave out the nuts completely. Also, next time I make this recipe, I might add in dried cranberries. Also, I only frosted about half of the cookies. These cookies are terrific with or without the frosting.

Orange Drop Cookies 

• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs 
• 2 Tbsp.  grated orange peel
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking pwoder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 2 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Orange juice and grated peel to taste

Cream 1 cup butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, peel, orange juice, vanilla, and milk. Add in flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Blend in the nuts. Drop by spoonful onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 to 13 minutes. Allow to cool before frosting. To make the frosting, blend the softened butter with the powdered sugar. Add orange juice and grated peel to taste and to spreading consistency. Spread the frosting on the cookies. Enjoy!