Basil Orange Cookies

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons grated orange rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dried basil
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 -3 tablespoons milk
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• chopped pistachio nut, for garnish

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350*.
• 2 in a large mixing bowl, cream the granulated sugar and the shortening for 3 minutes.
• 3 add the eggs and continue beting until blended.
• 4 add the milk, mixing thoroughly.
• 5 sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
• 6 add to the mixture.
• 7 add the juice, rind and vanilla.
• 8 then stir in the basil by hand.
• 9 drop by heaping tspfuls onto greased cookie sheet, approximately 2" apart.
• 10 bake for 10-12 minutes or until the top springs back when touched with your finger.
• 11 remove to wire rack to cool.
• 12 to make the frosting, combine all the ingredients except the pistachio nuts in a mixing bowl.and beat until smooth --
• 13 the frosting should be rather thick, add more sugar as needed.
• 14 spread a generous smear of frosting on each cookie and sprinkle on some pistachio nuts.
• 15 pack the cookies in tins or plastic containers, using wax paper to serperate layers -- .