CITRUS TRIO BUTTER DIPPING COOKIES

Steps:

• Enjoy these cookies inspired by delicious langues-de-chat, delicate French tea cookies. I love these with coffee, tea, or even with rich hot chocolate - perfect for dipping as you sip! Or, you could even dip the cookies into melted chocolate or caramel.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the butter, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. On the lowest speed, gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until blended. Divide the batter into 3 bowls, and gently stir in the different zests among the bowls, making 3 citrus flavored batters.
• Scrape each batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch tip, or a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe 2-inch long strips, about 2 inches apart, on a cold unlined baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Repeat with the other batches.
• Remove from the oven, and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing with a spatula to cool completely on baking rack. Serve with tea or coffee, or just nibble...addictive!
• Cook's Note: To butter cookie purists: these are also delicious without the zest!
• *Note: This recipe has been updated as of December 8, 2009.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the margarine, vegan cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. (The mixture will look a little separated at this point. No worries, it comes together - scrape down the sides of the bowl.)
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. On the lowest speed, gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until blended. Divide the batter into 3 bowls, and gently stir in the different zests among the bowls, making 3 citrus flavored batters.
• Scrape each batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch tip, or a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe 2-inch long strips about 2-inches apart on a cold unlined baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Repeat with the other batches.
• Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing with a spatula to cool completely on baking rack. Serve with tea or coffee, or just nibble...addictive!
• *Note: This recipe has been updated as of December 8, 2009.