Easy Orange Shortbread

This is my favorite shortbread recipe. It is especially good topped with a thin powdered sugar glaze.   I took the basic recipe from the Barefoot Contessa  and just changed it over the years to fit my taste. I like the orange flavor, but you can easily change this up with Key Lime or another citrus flavor. Makes great gifts when put in small bags and tied with orange ribbon. :)

Enjoy!

Easy Orange Shortbread

4 sticks softened butter

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. orange zest

1 tsp. orange oil (or 1 tsp. fresh orange juice)

                Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.  Add vanilla.  Add flour, baking powder, and orange zest, orange oil and mix just until combined.  Turn the mixture out onto a floured surface and shape into a disc.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 

                Preheat oven to 350.  Take disc out of refrigerator and roll out on floured surface until the dough is about ½ inch thick.  Use cookie cutters of your choice and put cut cookies on a baking sheet.  Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.  Cool completely on a wire rack.