I have been making these cookies for literally over a decade. I like to switch them up and use whatever citrus I have in the fridge. Lime n Pepper, Meyer Lemon n Pepper… you get the idea. Last night my son and I had a hankering for something sweet. So at about 10:00 PM, these easy cookies seem to be the ticket. We combined the last lemon and orange in the fruit drawer. I made these cookies 90% organic. I used organic flour, sugar cane sugar, eggs…organic lemon, orange and we used skim milk. They are fresh tasting and delicious.
These cookies are very forgiving…easy with no muss or fuss. The mixture will look curdled when you add the milk. No problem.
You can let your imagination run wild with this one. Try red peppercorns or even flecks of chili pepper. Could be very pretty for that romantic Valentines Day special treat. Maybe crush up some red chili flakes with the confectioners sugar. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Peppery hot cookies for that spicy hot date!
Citrus n Cracked Black Pepper Cookies
Peppery surprise in each sweet tangy bite!
Makes: 48 cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour (you can use Cuisine Soleil gluten free all purpose flour) 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp coarse kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly coarse ground black pepper 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4-cup whole milk 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg 1/4 cup finely grated citrus zest (you can use lime, lemon, orange or any combination) Confectioners sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium-mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in the black pepper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until they are light and fluffy.
Beat in the milk and vanilla.
Add the egg.
Mix in the flour mixture and zest.
Drop by tablespoons with a scoop onto a non-stick cookie sheet.
Press with the heal of your hands until the round mound is flattened to about ¼ inch.
Bake until golden brown on the bottom.
Do not over bake. Takes less than 10 minutes.
Cool for around 5 minutes and then dust with confectioners sugar.