We’re dreaming of an Orange (cookie) Christmas
November 29, 2016Because nothing says Christmas quite like tins of lovely treats waiting to be brought out when VIP visitors come visiting. Especially ones in red and white suits…
These thumbprint biscuits are perfect for little helping hands – so it’s a perfect activity for keeping kids busy this Christmas holiday. They’re incredibly easy, and make a perfect gift for friends and family. Plus, we heard from a very reliable source that they’re Santa’s favourite, so knowing old Saint Nick, he’s definitely more likely to give out the best presents to the kids that leave these out for him!




Father Christmas’s Famous Orange Cookie Recipe
Makes around 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 200g butter, softened
- 100g brown sugar
- 250g flour (alternatively: spelt flour)
- 1 orange, juiced
- 3 heaped tbsp sugar
- 60g walnuts, chopped
- 1 vanilla pod, scrape out seeds.
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Boil the orange juice with 3 slightly heaped tbsp. of sugar until it forms a syrup and allow to cool down. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Mix 2 tbsp of the orange syrup into the flour until well mixed. Then knead with your hands until a firm dough is produced (if you’re finding it hard to knead the dough, try popping it in the fridge for 10 minutes).
- For the filling: mix the walnuts, cinnamon, vanilla seeds and the remaining orange syrup.
- For each cookie, roll a heaped tsp of dough into a ball and make a thumbprint in the middle of the dough. Add 1 teaspoon of the filling.
- Place the cookies on your lined baking tray.
- Bake in your pre-heated oven at 160°C for approx. 15 – 20 minutes (until golden brown).
- After baking, allow the cookies to cool down slightly before serving and enjoy!
Speaking of Santa Claus, is anyone else as enamoured with the epic British tradition of absolutely mental Christmas adverts as I am? Every year, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and the like seem to find yet bigger and more festive ideas (that inevitably make my cry – but in a nice, Christmassy way). One of our favourites this year has to be the M&S version of how on earth Santa gets everything done in time for the big day. You know what they say about every great man…
The biscuits look lovely, though could you suggest another filling? I don’t really like walnuts.
Almonds would also work well here Helen! At this time of year, we’re also partial to a pecan :).
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Hi Ivan,
We reckon you’ll get about 3 dozen cookies from this recipe, depending on the size you prefer of course.