Blood Orange Sugar Cookies

Set oven temperature to 350 F (180 C) To a medium mixing bowl add sugar and blood orange zest. Rub the zest into the sugar using your finger tips. This is allowing the oils to release from the zest bringing a brighter, more citrusy flavor to the cookie. Next, add room temp butter and super soft cream cheese (I like to microwave mine for 15 seconds) Cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar together till smooth. Then add in the the salt, and baking powder mixing till combined. Add in your egg and again mix till smooth and fluffy. After the egg is added I ditch my whisk and grab a spatula to incorporate the flour. Once this is fully mixed in, grab your cookie scoop and scoop out 1.5 oz dough balls. Rolls the cookie dough into the extra granulated sugar and blood orange zest. Place 12 cookies on a cookie sheet, equally spaced apart. Grab a sturdy glass and press the cookie balls down to about 1/2 and inch thick. Bake in the oven at 350 F for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on the counter.


While the cookies are cooling make the buttercream. Start by adding soft butter to a medium bowl. Using an hand mixer beat on medium speed till smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and beat again till incorporated. Add in blood orange juice, heavy cream and salt. Mix for 5 minutes or till buttercream is a fluffy paste. Frost cookies and add a little blood orange zest for garnish. Serve and enjoy.