What would the holiday season be if we didn’t have a cookie swap? I mean really, the tastes and smells of the season are such a big part of the fun!
If you are looking for a show stopper, party popper cookie to take to your next holiday get together, look no further. This is the cookie that everyone will be eating two of and then asking for the recipe. It is a soft, sweet, and yet tangy bite of Golden Delicious goodness. These are my favorite Golden Orange Cookies
The magic ingredient in these cookies is the orange zest in the frosting. It gives the cookie that fresh little bit of tartness that compliments the sweet just right.
You can get the zest off of an orange or lemon with a sharp knife or a grater, but I like to use a zesting tool made especially for that purpose.
The zester peels just the dark colored orange part of the peel while leaving the bitter white part behind. After I zest the oranges, I cut them in half and juice them as well.
As you are making the dough, it will appear VERY dry. Don’t worry, after you add the grated carrots, it will soften up to a wonderful dough like consistency:)
Another trick to this cookie is to scoop them out onto a greased pan and then flatten them a bit with the bottom of a jar or cup.
They cook in 10-12 min and are ready to take out of the oven when the tops look and feel dry to the touch. They do not spread hardly at all.
At this point the cookie is not very sweet. It is just a warm, soft cake like cookie. It reminds me of a muffin top:). I like to glaze them with the frosting while they are warm.
Once the cookie is frosted, it is almost impossible not to eat one or two of them. I mean, someone needs to test them and make sure that they taste ok for the rest of the family…..if there are any left! Lol😊
I know you are going to LOVE these cookies! Here is the recipe–
Golden Orange Cookies—
Recipe by – Tracy @ It’s a T-Sweets Day!
Ingredients—
- 1 c. shortening
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 1/2c flour
- 2 c grated carrots
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbs vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 c chopped nuts
Frosting Ingredients—
- 4 c powdered sugar
- 4 tbs butter
- 2 tbs orange zest
- 1/2 c orange juice
.
Directions—
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and dry ingredients. Mix well. (dough will be dry and crumbly) Add carrots, nuts, and vanilla. Drop 2″ balls onto a greased baking sheet. Press flat to 1/2″ thickness with the bottom of a cup or jar. Bake at 375* for 10-12 min. Until the tops are just barely dry.
Frosting—
Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Spread over warm cookies and let cool.
Makes 2 dozen cookies
I want to give a big thank you and shout out to Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt who has organized this virtual cookie exchange. Carol, you are the best!!!
Here is the list of the other bakers in today’s cookie swap. I am excited to head over and indulge myself in some delicious calorie free eye candy cookies! I hope you will be joining me. It’s going to be SWEET!!
Today-
Adventurous Applique and Quilting
Yesterday–
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats
.
Tomorrow–
Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
Pumpkin Patch Patterns & Quilting
.
Until next time, I hope your kitchen is filled with happy baking!❤️
These will be great to share when all the oranges come to their peak in Jan in FL. Lemons are getting ready to be picked soon.
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Hi Robin! Oh yes! Fresh oranges are the BEST for these cookies. I wonder how they would taste with lemons?……hmmm I may have to give it a try:). Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy the cookie exchange😊❤️
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Wow. I’m going to put this on the tray of Xmas delicious goodies. Thanks so much. Happy Holiday season.
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Happy Holidays to you too, Velda!! I hope you will give these cookies a try. I’m sure you will LOVE them!❤️❤️
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Tracy — those cookies look delicious! I can’t wait to try them this weekend!
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Oh good Sandra! Please let me know how you like them❤️❤️❤️. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the cookie exchange!😊
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Carrots and oranges, what an interesting combination. Thanks for the recipe.
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Hi Dorian! The carrots and oranges are such an interesting combination. You can’t taste the carrots at all. They just give moisture and color. The orange is really the star of my he show:). Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoy the cookies and the exchange 😊❤️
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Hi Tracy! Yum, yum, yum! I love all things orange and a glaze with the zest sounds particularly yummy. I will give these cookies a shot. It sounds like our cookie bake will need to be several days long now with all the new temptations. ~smile~ Roseanne
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Hi Roseanne! We are going to have to be baking all month to make all of these delicious cookies! As an orange lover, you are going to LOVE these Golden Delights. I do hope you give them a try and let me know how you like them. 😊❤️
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I remember my mom making these (although, I believe, they didn’t have the carrots). Soft, cake-like texture but oh the frosting with that zest—-YUM!! Have marked this one as a MUST TRY!!!! Thanks so much!!!!
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Oh good!!! I experimented with recipes trying to recreate a cookie that I had when I was young too! This recipe is spot on for me. I hope it is for you too❤️❤️
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I’ll find out…..next week, when baking takes on a priority level!!!
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o yum! Another Winner, I must give this one a try when time permits!
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Thank you Anita! Ah…that crazy thing- time. I wish there was lots more of it:)! I hope you can fit these cookies in. They are DELICIOUS!! I’m so glad you stopped by today. Enjoy the ezchange❤️❤️
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Oh, these cookies look awesome, and I do believe I have to make some. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Carol! I hope you give these Golden Orange Cookies a try. Please let me know how you like them when you do. Have a great day!😊❤️
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Oh yum, these sound (and look) delicious!
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Hi Wendy! The best kind of calories are the ones we salivate over in pictures online!❤️. Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the exchange😊❤️
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My mouth is watering just looking at your yummy pictures. Nothing better than the taste of fresh orange this time of year. Merry Christmas!
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I agree Carla! These cookies are the blend of sweet and tart. I’m so glad you stopped by today. Merry Christmas to you too😊❤️
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I was thinking just what Carla said…my mouth is watering just looking at the photos. Wow! These would make a great breakfast cookie with all the yumminess in them. Thank you so much for hopping along with us and sharing this amazing recipe! xo
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Hi Carol! Don’t ask me how I know, but this is definitely a good breakfast cookie:)! Thank you so much for organizing this event. I love reading about all of my blog friend’s traditions and favorite cookies😊❤️
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Your recipe sounds yummy! I may need to try these for a party we are having in a couple weeks. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Merry Quiltmas!
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Oh how wonderful! You are sure to have a party pleaser with these yummy cookies❤️❤️
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The cookies look delicious, thanks for sharing!
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Hi Karrin! You are so welcome. Enjoy the cookies and the cookie excgange😊❤️
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I love this idea!!
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Thank you Abbey! I hope you give them a try and let me know how you like them😊❤️
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Springtime goodness in the middle of winter, love it.
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So true Denise! The citrus flavor is light and refreshing. Thank you for stopping by today. Merry Christmas!!❤️❤️
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From looking at the pictures, I can only imagine how yummy these cookies are. Looking forward to giving them a try.
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Hi Theresa! These are a deliciously unique cookie. I hope you give them a try . Merry Christmas!!❤️❤️
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Thank you for the recipe!! Orange cookies are one of my favorites…my mouth is watering just looking at your cookies and reading the recipe!! Definitely making these this Christmas!
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Tracy, those look so delicious…that a fun hop. Thanks.
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Hello Barbara! I agree, this has been a very fun and delicious blog hop❤️😊
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Oh yum yum yum!!! My gramma used to make an orange cookie thingy for Christmas – I bet this is just like it – so now I HAVE to try it!!! THANK YOU!!
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You are so welcome Alycia! A cookie that is just like Grammas is the best kind of cookie of all!❤️❤️
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That’s it, I’m buying the ingredients I’m missing today and I will try those! I’m in a baking mood 😊 hopefully Clark lets me bake without fussing too much 😅
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Woo hoo! I can’t wait to hear how you like them Emma:). I’m sure Clark will smell these fantastic cookies baking and sleep like an angel😊❤️
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Tracy, These look wonderful. I love orange in anything. It’s probably because I grew up in California…LOL. Anyways, you have me so curious about the taste…i definitely plan to give these a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Oh good!!! I love bringing back memories:). I really do hope you give these Cookies a try. I know you will love them❤️❤️
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These sound just like a cookie I would eat the whole 2 dozen! Thanks for a great recipe to try.
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Hello Susan! Yes, I must admit I have eaten way more than my share of these, but they are so good, I just can’t stop!! Happy Blog Hop to you:)😊❤️❤️
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My mouth is watering just looking at the picture of those cookies. Thanks!
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Ooooh, I’ve never had anything like these but they sound delicious!
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Hello Mindy:). These cookies are different from your normal chocolate chip cookie. They are so so good! I hope you give them a try sometime. Merry Christmas!❤️❤️
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Those look fabulous! My daughter loves carrot cake I think this will be a great project to do together. Have you ever tried coconut oil instead of shortening?
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Hi Lisa! You and your daughter will definitely love making these cookies together. I have never tried coconut oil, but it sounds interesting. Please let me know how it works out if you try it❤️❤️
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Hi Tracy! I will make your cookies! I love citrus desserts 🍊🍋 and just bought a box of oranges.
Thanks for sharing and I love your pretty and zesty photos 💕🍊😄
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Yea! If you love citrus, you will definitely love these orange cookies. I’m excited to see how they turn out:)
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Your cookies look awesome. Carrots, oranges what isn’t to love?
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Hello Colette! I agree completely 😊❤️
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I think I better they these, they look so good!
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Hi Kathy! I really think you and your DH will love them. The recipe makes just enough to eat more thank you should and give one or two away to a friend as well❤️
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These sound delightful. You won’t believe it, but I just used a zester for the first time on Thanksgiving. I had to “Google” how to use it! LOL!! Have a very Merry Christmas!
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It’s a sign Joan!! These cookies are calling your name😊❤️
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These cookies look awesome! My grands love orange, so we may have to give these a try! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Brenda! If your grands love orange, this is just the cookie for them😊❤️
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Wasn’t able to visit yesterday but am now catching up. Oh, yum. I love orange and so these cookies really sounds perfectly delicious to me. Can’t wait to try them. Thank you.
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Thank you LJ! Merry Christmas:)❤️
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I never use shortening. Could you use unsalted butter? These sound awesome.
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Hi Barb! I think butter might work. I say give it a try and find out. 😊❤️
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These look like a wonderful holiday treat. Love your recipe card.
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Thank you Selina! I’m so glad you like the card. I had a lot of fun making it:). Merry Christmas to you!😊❤️
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These sound wonderful! I always test my cookies before anyone else tries one; quality control is SO important. ;o) Merry Christmas!
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It’s a necessity !! Lol😊❤️❤️
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