I call these buttery bites “no-fuss cookies” because they are mixed in the food processor – in one simple, easy step.  They can be made for children and for grown-ups, too.  The glaze calls for either orange juice or Cointreau – use the Cointreau if only grown-ups will be enjoying them!   And, of course, you can cut them into any shape you’d like!

Ingredients

For the cookies:
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon grated orange zest
2 medium egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon orange juice or Cointreau liqueur
1 Tablespoon full-fat milk or half-n-half
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

You will also need:
Food processor with blade attachment
Plastic wrap
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters
Parchment paper or silpat mat
Baking sheet
Metal spatula
Cooling rack
Small bowl
Teaspoon

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Put all of the cookie ingredients in the food processor and process for about a minute until the dough comes together.  Remove the blade and set it aside.  Gather up the dough and wrap it in a piece of plastic wrap. 

Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out between two sheets of plastic wrap until it is about 1/4″ thick.  Using the cookie cutters, cut into your desired shapes. 

Place the parchment or silpat onto the baking sheet.  Place the cookies onto the baking sheet. 

Bake for about 11 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove from the oven.

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.  When the cookies are cool enough to handle with a metal spatula, then move them onto the cooling rack.  Cool completely.

Meanwhile, mix the ingredients for the glaze together in the small bowl. 

When the cookies are cool, spoon the glaze onto the cookies. 

Serve immediately. 

Note:  If you are not serving these cookies right away, then store them without the glaze.  Glaze them right before serving. 

Makes about 18 3″ cookies.

Meyer lemons grow year-round in our garden in Sausalito.   They seem to really thrive on the weather here.  Meyer lemons are a cross between lemons and oranges and have a mild flavor that is sweeter than most lemons, such as Eurekas.   I use them in both sweet and savory dishes.  They are extremely versatile and highly fragrant.  A bowl of Meyer lemons sitting on your countertop with give a delicate, citrus fragrance to your kitchen.

One of my favorite ways in which to use Meyer lemons is in this Meyer Lemon Pecan Brown Sugar Shortbread recipe.  This recipe is so simple yet memorable and delicious.  This makes a fantastic pairing with a double cappuccino or espresso. 

Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, at room temperature + 1 teaspoon for pan
2 cups plain unbleached flour
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 Tablespoon cornmeal
Zest of 2 Meyer lemons
½ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

You will also need:
Large casserole or baking dish (approx. 13×9×2”)
Microplaner or zester
Mixer

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butter the baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar together in the mixer at medium speed until they are fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer and add the flour, salt and cornmeal. Mix until just incorporated. Stir in the zest and the toasted pecans.

Pour the mixture (it should still be crumbly, but moist) into the prepared baking dish. Press it down with your hands until it is even in the dish. Make decorative patterns with the prongs of a fork, if desired. Bake for approx. 30 minutes, until golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven. Let the shortbread cool for about 5 minutes. Loosen the sides of the shortbread from the dish and cut into pieces. Do not remove from the pan for another 15-20 minutes, when much cooler and set. Remove carefully from the baking pan. Eat immediately or store for up to three days in an airtight container.

Makes about 2 dozen squares.