Sugar Cookies with Orange Zest

My sister chanting "baking post, baking post, baking post" was all it took to convince me to bake something and write a post about it.   It's pretty easy to convince me to bake treats, and it's even easier to convince me to eat them.  My sweet tooth is quite honestly out of control.

Here is an example of just how pathetic my undying desire for sweets can be:  While driving home from the grocery store, my fiance and I are about to drive past the frozen yogurt shop, and I stare longingly at it as we are about to approach it.
Me:  "Want frozen yogurt?"
Him:  "No."
Me:  "Me neither...I was just kidding."  I wasn't kidding.  I was just ashamed of my lack of impulse control around sweets.  If he had said yes to the fro-yo, I probably would have been doing a happy dance.  I  sit quietly the rest of the way home and feel resentful of the missed opportunity.  You guys, this is not a one-time incident.  This happens on a regular basis.  It would be considered normal behavior for a preschooler to pout about being denied a treat.  A grown-ass woman, on the other hand, has a real problem.


Now that you all have a clear picture of how much I love all things sugary, I think it's time to share the recipe.  These are just a basic sugar cookie with orange zest.  The cookie was inspired by this lemon sugar cookie recipe at baking bites:  http://bakingbites.com/2009/03/lemon-sugar-cookies/.  Instead of lemon zest, I used orange zest.  I wanted to use up some of my oranges that I had on hand.

Orange Sugar Cookies
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbsp orange zest
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp sugar, for rolling

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and orange zest until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the flour at low speed. Place remaining 2-3 tbsp sugar in a small bowl
Shape 1-inch balls of dough, roll in the sugar and place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, until set but not browned (or only very lightly on the bottom). Edges should be slightly firm. 

I usually make the lemon zest ones, but these orange zest cookies are delicious too! Let me know if you try out the recipe! 

Also, yes this is what I do on Friday nights.