Orange-Rosemary Cookies with Orange GlazeIngredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 small sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 orange, finely zested and juice reserved 2 cups confectioners' sugar |
1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and rosemary in a large bowl.
2. Cream the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla and orange zest and mix to combine. Add the flour mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until just golden at the edges, about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, mix together the confectioners' sugar and reserved orange juice in a medium bowl and set aside.
6. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets about 5 minutes, then top each with about a teaspoon of the orange glaze.
Rosemary is a plant with extensive holiday traditions, symbolism, and legends. Associated with remembrance, friendship, and fidelity, rosemary was used extensively during the Medieval Period. An altar decorated with rosemary imparted special blessings and protection to the worshipers. Floors of churches and homes were strewn with the herb. The traditional boar’s head for the Christmas feast was decorated with rosemary.
Two rosemary legends relate directly to the Christmas story. Rosemary flowers were originally white. One day during the flight to Egypt, Mary draped her blue cloak over a rosemary bush. The rosemary flowers turned blue and the whole plant took on the lovely color and fragrance of Mary’s cloak.
In a similar legend, Mary dries the baby Jesus’s clothes on a fragrant bush after laundering. The plant’s name, rosemary, and its blue flowers are in remembrance of its humble service to the Holy family.