Orange Zucchini Cookies

By srumbel

These soft, sweet cookies have wonderful orange and walnut flavors with a crunchy sugar topping – and really, you’d never guess that there is shredded zucchini in them if you didn’t see the tell-tale green flecks from the skin in the batter! They are addictively delicious, and I predict these Orange Zucchini Cookies will become your new summer favorite!
from afamilyfeast.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• Zest from one large naval orange
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons Demarara or Turbinado Sugar

Preparation

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat shortening and sugar together until well mixed. Add zucchini, zest, extract and egg and beat just until combined.
In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt and baking powder and mix into wet and beat on low speed just until mixture is blended.
Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chopped nuts by hand.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lay out three sheet pans and cover with parchment paper
Using a number 40 cookie scoop or by spoonful’s, drop cookies onto prepared pans, ten per pan, total 30 cookies.
With wet fingertips, press each cookie down slightly to form a disk and sprinkle the raw sugar over the tops of each cookie.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until done. Bottoms should be slightly brown and the tops will be light in color and slightly springy when touched.
Cool on racks.

Serves: 2½ dozen