Orange Sugar Bells Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg, orange zest, orange juice and extract. Gradually beat in flour., Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, milk and, if desired, food coloring until smooth. Pipe or spread over cookies; let stand until set.

Steps:

• In large bowl beat shortening and butter or margarine until butter is softened. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add the egg, milk, orange peel, and vanilla and beat until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder and mix well.
• Cover and chill about 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
• Shape dough into two 8-inch long rolls. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• On the bottom half of each slice, place a cherry for the bell clapper. Fold in the sides of the slice, overlapping at the top and slightly covering cherry. Pinch in the sides to form a bell shape.
• Bake for 12-14 minutes or until done. Remove and cool on wire rack.

Steps:

• Scrub oranges under hot running water and dry well. Finely grate zest into a bowl. Add sugar and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.