I was recently asked to bring a dessert to a gathering of friends and was stumped as to what would be easy to make and would please a crowd with a discerning palate.  Off to Executive Chad Hendrickson I went!  His answer to my delima was cookies!  He shared with me his recipe for Orange Cookies that he created to pair with our Hess Su’skol Vineyard Late Harvest Chardonnay.  Let’s just say my friends couldn’t get enough of these cookies…or the wine!   The combination was such a hit I thought I would share.  Enjoy!

 Orange Cookies
3 oz Unsalted butter, softened                            ½ cup Sugar
1 ea Orange – zest                                              1 Tbsp.Orange – juice
½ tsp. Baking powder                                         1/8 tsp. Salt
1 cup All-purpose flour                                        Sugar as needed 

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3.  Combine the butter, sugar and orange zest. Cream together until fluffy.   Add the orange juice, mix until just combined.
4.  Mix in the flour mixture until just combined.
5.  Roll into a 2” wide log. Wrap in plastic wrap. Let chill for 30 minutes.  Slice into ½” wide slices. Place 1” apart on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake in the oven until very light brown. Approx.12 minutes.

Recipe makes 2 dozen cookies.