Fantastic Combination of Flavors

Orange Almond Drops

Italians are known for cooking and baking with the ingredients that are common to the area in which they live. Oranges and almonds are grown in several areas of Italy so the combined flavorings are common in many recipes. If you have never tried the combination you are missing out on something outstanding. Give this cookie a try, you will be very pleased.


1/4 pound of unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
Grated rind of 1 med/large orange
1/2 cup orange juice
2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup chopped almonds


Yields About 40 to 50 cookies


With an electric mixer with the whip attachment, cream butter and sugar until light.

Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well.

With the mixer on low speed add the flour, salt and baking soda mixing until just blended.

The dough should be soft. Using a wooden spoon mix in the chopped nuts.

Using a teaspoon drop cookie dough, 2 inches apart, on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in pre-heated 375 degree oven. Cookies should be lightly browned.

Use a metal spatula to remove cookies from baking sheet and place on a wire cooling rack.

You can ice the cookies with orange flavored confectioners' sugar frosting. Let the icing dry completely before storing in air tight container.

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Orange Flavored Confectioners' Icing

6 cups Confectioners' sugar (10x sugar)
2 tsp orange extract
( I like using 2 tsp Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur)
1/2 cup water


Use an electric mixer at low speed mixing all the ingredients until smooth. Frosting should be opaque but not too thick.

Using a teaspoon or a small off-set metal spatula, frost the tops of the cookies. Don't worry about the icing if drips down the sides of the cookies. Let them dry on the wire cooling rack.

Tip: Before you ice the cookies, place wax paper under the wire racks. It will help with the clean up.