Mary Mo’s Orange Frosted Cookies
This cookie could possibly change the world. It is that powerfully delicious.
Recently, I received a comment on my post for the Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls. The page was featured on StumbleUpon, which brought many new visitors to Whipped. The reader wrote:
So you only tried one recipe? Doesn’t sound like there is much foundation to calling this the ultimate recipe, posting the definition just makes it more obvious. Go Go Action-Pointless-Hyperbole!
I am always slightly startled by critical comments that aren’t constructive about a recipe. They don’t bother me that much because I accept that in keeping a blog, you are opening yourself up to everyone that has access to a computer and by further allowing comments on your blog, well… you are allowing comments on your blog.
Often I just laugh and wonder who has the time and negative energy to read a stranger’s blog and make critical comments. But, since reading the above comment, I have noticed that it affected me in a way I wish it hadn’t. During my work day, I do a lot of writing about things I love like chocolate and coffee and cooking. And, rather then letting it flow out, I have hesitated a time or two before using strong descriptors or overly excited phrasing.
The definition for hyperbole on dictionary.com is “an obvious and intentional exaggeration.” Do I use them too much? Should I restrain and tone myself down? Would a more realistic description now and then be more appropriate?
Well, today I shed my insecurities and get back to the business of being me. I have realized that those statements are my natural thoughts. I love to be excited. I seek positivity and welcome greatness. I love to love. When I eat a bite of my sister’s Orange Frosted Cookies I truly think to myself, “If everyone in the world could just eat one of these amazing cookies together at the same time it would change everything for the better.”
So, here we go people… who is with me? Let’s change this world one ultimate cinnamon roll and one life-changing cookie at a time! Go-Go Action-Packed-Hyperbole!
Mary Mo’s Orange Frosted Cookies
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 –28 cookies 1x
Description
These soft cookies and their frosting carry a whiff of orange and its fresh flavor. For holidays, color the frosting whatever color you desire and decorate with sprinkles if you like.
Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1–2 tablespoons grated orange rind (from 1 large or 2 medium oranges)
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (3 Tbsp for cookies, 3 Tbsp for frosting)
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Using an electric mixer or a KitchenAid with a paddle attachment, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice.
4. Add approx. 1 tablespoon of grated orange rind.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture. The dough will be firm.
7. Roll the cookie dough into balls about 1 1/4 inch in diameter and place on a ungreased baking sheet.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.
9. Let rest on the pan for a few minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool.
10. To prepare the frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar and the remainder of the grated orange rind together. Add the orange juice one tablespoon at a time until you reach a thick spreading consistency.
11. When cookies are cool, spread the tops with frosting.
Notes
DECORATE FOR HOLIDAYS: Use coloring and sprinkles to decorate for holidays. For Halloween, we added in some charcoal powder to the dough and topped with orange frosting for black and orange cookies. At Valentine’s Day, try pink frosting with heart sprinkles. For spring or Easter, separate frosting into three bowls and make different pastel frostings.
love a good frosted cookie and i love your spirit.
do not dumb yourself or your ZEST down!
p.s. i am always at a loss when it comes to shortening as an ingredient in a recipe. what are some other options i might be able to use? butter? olive oil?
someone told me a story about when she was in elementary school and someone in her class didn’t like her. her mom said something like this, “water is bland, lemonade is flavorful. not everyone likes lemonade but it’s more unique and layered and fun than water. which would you rather be more like?” cheers to hyperbole and being yourself!
I really appreciate the honesty of this post! I experience that sort of insecurity too — more often than I’d care to admit, and the result is usually that I don’t voice my opinions or dream too big for fear of offending someone.
So I’ve come up with a silly mantra to repeat when those feelings take over: “Rebel! Be yourself.” It reminds me to push at the boundaries I set for myself out of fear. Because really — who ever achieved something great by placating others or dumbing down their creative instincts? I say: Rock on, Caroline. :)
I think that part of blogging is finding a voice that you’re comfortable with (which is easier said than done for sure!)
These cookies look great — thanks for sharing (hyperboles and all ;-)
Thanks all for the positive comments and encouragement.
Deborah – the closest substitute for shortening would probably be margarine or try butter. But, I have learned that shortening is one of the secrets to the best of the best cookies.
How much butter is used in the frosting? It’s not listed.
Love this!! I get really annoyed about those negative commenters – why waste your time being so damn rude??!! on the other hand, it makes for great posts, like this one :). you go!
and i agree with you on the shortening comment – sometimes you just gotta use shortening, or even lard!
great-lookin’ cookies!
Okay my family LOVES creamsicle flavors. So, does this cookie offer that kind of flavor??
Also, how’s the texture of this cookie? Soft? Chewy?
Katherine – these are soft cookies. Not really chewy but sink-your-teeth in soft.
Emily – Thank you! I corrected the post – it is 1/4 cup butter.
Go-Go-Go-Go Action-Packed-Hyperbole! I’m IN sister and I most certainly got your back. Wankers. Let’s go see them make some cinnamon rolls. Or orange cookies. Or anything productive and positive. I like you as you, in your full enthusiastic hilarious glory. Bring. It. On.
when life gives you lemons…….
Pour on the sugar babe! Love the good vibes flowing from the Whipped Kitchen.
Ignore the wet blankets of the world. This post has brought me out of my lurk-dom to tell you that Whipped is one of my favourite reads.
I’m back to say, I made these yesterday, but I made a cream cheese frosting instead (3 oz cc, 2 T butter, about 2-1/2 c powdered sugar, zest and juice of half an orange). My family and classmates raved! This made about 48 2-1/2″ cookies. They were so yummy.
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I’m a bit of a lurker as well. I only dig in and cook big stuff occasionally, but I find your posts beautiful and inspirational. Just wanted to chime in to let you know a lot of us lurkers love your blog!
Yeah! What Jodi said!
Love your blog. Have been meaning to post for a while and I think this post makes your point.
Very new to the blog world. However your blog has been an inspiration and thank you for sharing. It is not an easy thing to do.
Thanks
Nicole
I’m with ya’ sister!! BTW, I’m CRAZY about your blog & the food is life-changing, melt-in-your-mouth – Fabulous!!
Love your blog! The best recipes. I like anything with oranges.
I also came across your site from stumbleupon. I think it’s incredibly artistic and the recipe I tried was brilliant. As you said, the people out there with enough negative energy to rip on a complete stranger’s site are not people you need to give any heed to. Keep creating! :]
I’m also a lurker who has never posted before. I love your personality/hyperbole, so ignore the wankers (as someone else said). And I’m so making these cookies. They look to-die-for. How’s that for hyperbole?
These cookies do look like they could change the world!
I’m sorry you got a rude comment on your blog. Mean comments really do suck. You can try to let it roll off your back, but it still gets to you in some way. If it makes you feel better, someone posted ‘you are a whore’ in my comments once. I had just started my website and not many people knew about it, so I can only imagine this person was a stranger who had fun doing this to random people on the internet.
I adore your website, so keep it up! Hyperboles included!
I just came across your site today from Kalyn’s Kitchen. Your recipes sound awesome. I enjoyed reading your blog too. Ignore the bad apples and as they ruin the pie! Stay as you are. I look forward to following you and the recipes.
I’m SO excited to try this recipe! I’m not a great baker but your blog is so inspiring! Thank youuuuu!
I have made this recipe for years from my grandmother’s recipe–the only differences are 1)all white sugar, no brown and 2)we call them Grandma Lody’s orange cookies, not Mary Mo’s! Thanks again.
Your blog is delicious! — looking, sounding, and — when recipes are made — tasting!
As a fan of healthy and delicious, I’d like to ask you to consider adapting some of your great baking by using whole grains — and posting your best results.
Thanks!
My mom used to make these cookies and I had forgotten about them until I saw the picture! I don’t know how I found you but I am so excited I did!! Great blog! Thank you for putting the time in!!
My mom always made these cookies at Christmas! I LOVE THEM!!! In fact they are my FAVORITE cookie!!! She got the recipe from my Grandma Devlin. Only thing, I thought they had sour milk in them. I am not a cook or anything, just remember being thrown off on the sour milk. But they look just like Grandma’s.
Another thing, a BLOG is a BLOG!!! YOUR THOUGHTS!!! Forget about the negative comments…But, I know how you feel…When I post on FB, I ALWAYS think about who is going to see this. I agree with the poster above… just be yourself!!! Remember…”You can’t please EVERYONE, SO you’ve got to please YOURSELF”!!! There will ALWAYS be haters.
Reminds me of Kid Rock, has album Rebel Soul, great AMERICAN guy, supports our troops, not afraid to say what he thinks………………ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My mom always made these cookies at Christmas! I LOVE THEM!!! In fact they are my FAVORITE cookie!!! She got the recipe from my Grandma Devlin. Only thing, I thought they had sour milk in them. I am not a cook or anything, just remember being thrown off on the sour milk. But they look just like Grandma’s.
Another thing, a BLOG is a BLOG!!! YOUR THOUGHTS!!! Forget about the negative comments€¦But, I know how you feel€¦When I post on FB, I ALWAYS think about who is going to see this. I agree with the poster above€¦ just be yourself!!! Remember€¦€You can’t please EVERYONE, SO you’ve got to please YOURSELF€!!! There will ALWAYS be haters.
Reminds me of Kid Rock, has album Rebel Soul, great AMERICAN guy, supports our troops, not afraid to say what he thinks€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!