Citrus Slices
Citrus slices are delightful cookies featuring bright lemon or orange flavors, coated in colored sugar, perfect for festive occasions or a tangy treat with tea.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat shortening and butter in a large bowl until softened, about 30 seconds.
- Add about half of the flour and mix well.
- Add sugar, lemon or orange juice, vanilla, baking soda, and salt; beat until thoroughly combined, scraping sides of the bowl.
- Beat in lemon or orange peel and remaining flour.
- Shape dough into two logs and wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper.
- Chill for 4 to 24 hours.
- Roll logs in colored sugar.
- Cut dough into 1/4-inch slices and then cut each slice in half.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are firm.
- Transfer cookies to racks and cool.
- Glaze with Citrus Glaze.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, allow the dough to chill for a full 24 hours, as this enhances the flavor and texture. If you're out of shortening, you can substitute with an equal amount of butter. Consider rolling the logs in colored sugar before slicing to add a festive touch. If you want a more intense citrus flavor, increase the lemon or orange peel slightly.
Serving Suggestions
These Citrus Slices are delightful on their own but also pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. For a festive treat, serve alongside Aunt Sharon's Pumpkin Nut Loaf during the autumn months. You can also drizzle a light citrus glaze over the cookies for added sweetness and shine.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the sliced dough logs wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Citrus Slices contains roughly 1214 calories, with 3g protein, 55g carbohydrates, and 63g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (12% of the Daily Value) and potassium (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1819mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other citrus fruits for this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with other citrus fruits such as lime or grapefruit. Just ensure that you adjust the amount of juice and zest to suit your taste, as some fruits are more tart than others. This adds a unique twist to the cookies.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
Alternatively, chilling the dough for a bit longer can help firm it up, making it easier to shape into logs.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Certainly! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking. Make sure to check that the other ingredients, like baking soda and sugar, are also gluten-free. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavor will still be delightful.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).