Julie's Orange Carrot Cookies

Julie's orange-scented carrot cookies are all dressed up in a lovely orange icing—just to please you!

Recipe Ingredients:

Cookies:
1 cup mashed cooked carrot
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons finely grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts

Orange Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon orange extract

Cooking Directions:

1. For Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl beat mashed carrots, shortening, and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add eggs. Beat till thoroughly combined.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Add grated orange peel and vanilla. Stir in chopped nuts.
4. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2-inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
6. For Orange icing: In a bowl combine orange extract with powdered sugar; add milk. Beat till smooth and creamy. Frost warm cookies.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.