Cookies 2 of 12, in no particular order, and on no particular schedule, are my citrus scented butter cookies!

If you’ve ever set foot in an Italian bakery, you know butter cookies. Often piped into rosettes and topped with a cherry, or sandwiched with jam and dipped in chocolate in chocolate (like these). 

So, what sets my butter cookies apart? 

I add a little orange zest to the dough.

Pro tip, when adding citrus zest to baked goods, massage it right into the sugar.  The abrasion releases the delicate oil from the zest, for maximum flavor.  And, let me tell you, it creates an absolutely heavenly scent in the process.

The subtle citrus flavor in these butter cookies is so elegant on its own, I was tempted to eschew the jam and chocolate dip altogether. But, then again, the dipped (and sprinkled) butter cookie really is canon. Also, chocolate-orange happens to be one of my all-time favorite flavor combos. 

Quick digression, I used to work for a London-based company that supplied coffee shops in the EU. Come Christmastime these coffee shops had all manner of chocolate-orange specialty beverages on their menus. I mean, it is a thing there.

I honestly don’t know why this festive flavor combo hasn’t take off in the same way with American palates. I mean, who doesn’t love smashing – and eating – those Christmas chocolate oranges?!?

So, I’m taking it upon myself to offer us chocolate-orange lovers an option here, in this cookie. I hope you love it as much as I do

PS. I’m obsessed with the look of my butter cookies in these pop-art style photos by the great Brooke Fitts