Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Orange Butter Cookies with Grand Marnier Glaze


Nearly a week has passed since I whisked my whisk and filled my baking sheets.  Liv and I had a few days in Pasadena for a dance convention and then her not so lovely stomach bug kept my duties more nurse-like than chef-like.  However, my girl on the mend and guests arriving this evening presented the perfect excuse to kick off my Thanksgiving baking/cooking/eating extravaganza!

With Tortellini Soup on the stove and salad prepped and ready to be dressed, a fairly simple, but tasty dessert was in order.  Orange seems to be my flavor of preference for this holiday, and Fine Cooking's Orange Butter Cookies with Grand Marnier Glaze fit the bill to perfection.

Delicate orange flavored butter cookies are topped with a delightful orange and Grand Marnier enhanced glaze.  Visually appealing with specks of orange zest, these little guys make a perfect light dessert or a nice addition to any cookie tray!



Orange Butter Cookies with Grand Marnier Glaze
adapted from Fine Cooking, pg. 93, October 2010

For the cookies
10-1/2 oz. (2-1/3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
8 oz. (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbs. finely grated orange zest
2 large egg yolks
1 whole egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

For the glaze
4 oz. (1 cup) confectioners’ sugar
2 Tbs. Grand Marnier
1-1/2 Tbs. heavy cream; more as needed
2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
Pinch of table salt



In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and zest on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until blended after each addition. Add the vanilla extract along with the last yolk. Mix until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until moist clumps form, about 1 minute.

Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide into 2 equal piles on sheets of plastic wrap. Using the plastic as an aid, knead into a smooth dough, shape into flat 5-inch disks, and wrap in the plastic. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. (The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 or more cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.

Working with one disk at a time, roll the dough between lightly floured parchment or on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Dust with additional flour as needed. Using a 2-1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Arrange them about 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets. Gather, re-roll, and cut the dough scraps up to 2 more times.

Bake cookie for 9 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.


In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, Grand Marnier, cream, zest, and salt. Mix until well blended and smooth. If necessary, add more cream a few drops at a time for a thin, spreadable consistency. 

Top each cookie with about 1/2 tsp. of the glaze, using the bottom of the measuring spoon to spread the glaze to within 1/4 inch of the edge.

Let sit at room temperature until the glaze is set, about 2 hours. Serve the cookies immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  

28 comments:

  1. These look wonderful! I hope you keep us posted on your Thanksgiving baking/cooking/eating extravaganza! :)

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  2. Kim this looks amazing, and I love that glaze it is exactly what the cookies needed :)

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  3. It would be worth while to buy Grand Marnier, since I don't have it, just for the excuse of these amazing cookies. So over the top Yummy!!!

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  4. I'm not an orange fan but oh my word those cookies look insanely good that I would devour a dozen without even thinking twice. I LOVE grand marnier and that glaze sounds incredible.

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  5. This look delicious. I can't wait to try these. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  6. I have a super good orange butter cookies recipe too but I never thought of matching them with a Grand Marnier glaze. That's spectacular! I think these would be great even as a Thanksgiving snack :)

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  7. Are these like an orange shortbread?! I absolutely am in LOVE with shortbread. Grand Mariner is so good for things like this. If I were there these would be GONE. :) Nice work on these!

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  8. These cookies are so pretty. I'm loving the glaze. I hope Liv will be ready to enjoy the festivities.

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  9. May I have some of them please??? they look perfect!!! :D

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  10. The cookies just sound so yummy and delicious! I hope the convention went well. Check out my newest post, there is some news in there that I think Liv might enjoy! : )

    Happy Thanksgiving Kim!

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  11. Lovely orange flavoring. Wonderful use of Grand Marnier in the glaze. These cookies are calling my name.

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  12. Oh my, those are pretty. Sugar cookies are so much better with glaze and your glaze looks gorgeous. Hope Liv is feeling better!

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  13. I think I could eat these by the dozen :) They look so, so good! Wishing you and your family a great Thanksgiving :)

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  14. Beautiful pictures of a lovely recipe for cookies that would not be safe in my home, anywhere around me! I love the glaze with Grand Marnier, thanks for sharing this recipe and have a happy Thanksgiving;)

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  15. These cookies looks so good, great recipe:)

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  16. such a great idea to put Grand Marnier in the glaze for the orange cookies. Brings them up a notch. I'm loving your cooking extravaganza, especially the Grand Marnier. I put it in my cranberry sauce.

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  17. Sorry to hear about the stomach bug! These cookies look divine though-- what lovely glaze!

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  18. Butter cookies are always amazing and they look great jazzed up! Love the colors ... perfect for thanksgiving.

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  19. I love the color of these cookies. They look delicious. Grand marnier sounds incredible!

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  20. this looks wonderful love anything with orange flavor - Rebecca

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  21. I saw these in the magazine. You used one egg yolk less? Did they still come out ok that way? I'm looking forward to making these and a few of the others from Fine Cooking. I love that mag.

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  22. I need these cookies in my life!

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  23. Oohhh - my Grand Marnier loving husband is going to love these big time! Thank you : )

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  24. you never put the baking time for the cookies in the recipe anywhere...

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  25. Thank you!! I've added the baking instructions. Sorry!!

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  26. These are just perfect, Kim! I love the recipe and your delicious pics!

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  27. The recipe calls for 2 egg yolks and 1 whole egg. However, the instructions don't indicate when to add the whole egg. I assume it's after the egg yolks have been added.

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