A Christmas Tea: Orange-Sugared Snowballs

Time to move on to the sweets course of the Christmas Tea. Everyone has cookies this time of year, either those created in your own kitchen or ones given to you as little gifts. If you’re still looking for a great cookie recipe, here it is. This very pretty cookie has a great orange zing.

Orange-Sugared Snowballs

1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon finely shredded orange peel, set aside
2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel, set aside
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 2/3 cups flour
¾ cup sugar

Preheat oven to 325º. With an electric mixer, beat butter on high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the orange juice until combined. Beat in the flour and 1 tablespoon orange peel.

In a food processor or blender, combine the sugar and 2 teaspoons shredded orange peel. Blend until well mixed. Shape dough into 1 ¼” balls. Roll balls in the sugar-orange peel mixture to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Roll balls in the sugar-orange peel mixture again while still warm. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes about 30 cookies.