SPRINKLE COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the granulated sugar, butter and orange zest until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing fully between each. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the mixer bowl and blend until just combined.
• Using floured hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and divide between the prepared baking sheets, setting the cookies 1 inch apart. Refrigerate for 1 hour to chill before baking so that the cookies retain their shape.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake until the cookies are just barely turning brown, 10 to 12 minutes; don't let them overbrown. Place on a wire rack until completely cooled, about 15 minutes.
• For the icing: Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, milk and lemon zest in a bowl until smooth.
• Working in batches of 5, dip the tops of the cookies into the icing and return to the wire rack. Immediately top with the sprinkles. Allow the icing and sprinkles to set for about 20 minutes before serving or packaging.

Steps:

• Make the cookies: Whisk the flour, confectioners' sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Beat in the vanilla, then beat in the sprinkles. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough until 1/4 inch thick. (If the dough starts to crack, let it warm up for a few minutes before continuing.) Using a 2 1/2-inch fluted round cookie cutter, cut out cookies and arrange about 1 inch apart on one of the baking sheets. Gather the scraps, reroll and cut out more cookies.
• Bake until the cookies are lightly golden, about 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool 5 minutes on the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, repeat with the remaining disk of dough.
• Make the icing: Mix the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 3 teaspoons water, adding more water 1 teaspoon at a time until the icing is spreadable. Spread the mixed sprinkles on a plate in an even layer. Spread about 1 teaspoon icing on each cookie, then dip the cookie icing-side down in the sprinkles to coat. Let set 30 minutes.