Orange Spice Cookies

 I made these for Christmas and they were a hit.  They aren't super sweet, have a very smooth texture and are easy to make.  I made the Chinese five spice mix myself rather than buying it.  

350 F

17-19 minutes

Dough

2 1/2 c (315 gr) flour

1 tsp five spice mix

1/2 t ground cardamom

1/2 t ground ginger

1/4 t salt (eliminate if using salted butter)

1 c (2 sticks) butter

1/2 c (100 gr) sugar

1 T zest from an orange (keep juice and remaining zest for glaze)

1 large egg

1/2 t vanilla

Glaze

2/3 c (80 gr) powdered sugar

2 T orange juice

2 t orange zest

Mix flour, spices, and salt well.

Cream butter, sugar and zest on medium speed until fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix for about a minute, until it's well incorporated and no longer looks curdled.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until no streaks remain.  Don't overmix.  Form into a 6" square and wrap in plastic wrap.  Put in freezer for about 30 minutes, until firm but not frozen.

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line pans with parchment.  Roll to about 1/4" thick on a lightly floured surface.  Using a pizza roller, cut into desired size - about 1" squares.  Bake 17-19" minutes, until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on pan for about 10 minutes and transfer to rack to cool completely.

Mix the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.  Brush the glaze on the cookies and sprinkle with orange zest.  Allow glaze to dry (it dries hard).

Chinese Five Spice mix

1 cinnamon stick (3")
2 T fennel seeds

1 T peppercorns (the recipe called for Sichuan but I didn't have them)

1 tsp whole cloves

5 star anise

Slowly roast all the spices in a small pan over low heat until fragrant.  Let cool.

Grind the cooled mix into a a fine powder.