Citrus Butter Cookie (Ree Drummond)

(Reviewed by Tammy)

The flavor of these little cookies is unbelievable!  Butter cookies have always been a favorite of mine.  Adding the citrus just put it over the top.  My didn't turn out nearly as pretty as Ree's.  In fact I get an F in presentation.  I'm not sure what happened.  Mine were kind of flat.  I was super disappointed until I tasted them.  Who cares what they look like when they taste like this!

I omitted the icing instead sprinkling with powdered sugar and lime and lemon zest.

INGREDIENTS

(COOKIES)

2 large eggs

4 sticks of butter (1 pound) salted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 Tablespoons orange, lemon and lime zest (1 Tablespoon each)

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons orange, lemon, and/or lime juice (2 Tablespoons total)

(ICING)

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons whole milk

2 Tablespoons combined orange, lemon and lime zest

Juice of 1/2 lime

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Dash of salt

Extra zest for decorating

1.  Preheat the oven to 350.

2.  Separate the eggs.  Set aside one of the egg whites for the icing.

3.  Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until combined.

4.  Add the egg yolks and mix until combined.

5.  Add the 3 Tablespoons of citrus zest.

6.  Then add the flour and mix until just combined.

7.  Next, add the 2 Tablespoons of citrus juice and mix the dough until it comes together.

8.  Scoop out heaping teaspoons of dough, then roll them into balls between your hands.  Place on a cookie sheet.  

9.  Bake them for 12-13 minutes or until they're not quite starting to turn brown.  Remove them from the oven but keep them on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes.  Use a spatula to move them to a cooling rack.  Cool completely.

10.  To make the icing, combine 1 egg white with the rest of the icing ingredients (except the zest).  Whisk thoroughly until combined, adding either more powdered sugar or more juice until it reaches a pourable but still thick consistency.

11.  Drizzle the icing across the cookies in several lines, then repeat in the other direction.

12.  Sprinkle them with extra zest before icing set.