Orange Flavoured Shortbreads

My daughter really enjoyed these delicately flavoured cookies.  She also enjoyed the decorating aspect :) Our decorating didn’t come out as nicely as I hoped, but she had a great time doing it and that is what matters.

3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 tsp salt
Grated zest of one small orange
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup royal icing mix
2 tbsp orange juice
Decorative sugars

• In a medium bowl combine butter and icing sugar.  Using an electric mixer, beat until fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Mix in salt and orange zest.  Stir in flour.  Bring dough together and divide in 2; flatten slightly and wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Working with 1 portion of dough at a time, roll out 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.  Using small to medium size cutters, cut into desired shapes, re-rolling and cutting scraps.  Place 1 inch apart on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining portion of dough.  Chill for 30 minutes
• Preheat oven to 325 F
• Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden at edges, rotating halfway through if using 2 pans.  Cool on pans on racks until firm.  Transfer cookies to rack to cool completely.
• To decorate, combine royal icing mix and orange juice in a small bowl and beat to combine (if find a hand mixer does this beautifully). Using a piping bag and small round tip, decorate as desired.  While icing is still wet, sprinkle with desired decorative sugar.  Let dry completely before handling or stacking.