Tango Tangerine and Valentine Designs {Sugar Cookie Style}

What does Panetone’s color of the year tango tangerine  and Valentine’s have in common? Absolutely nothing.  I thought it would be fun to do something a little different for Valentine’s Day.  I decided to mesh some of the latest trends and colors into Valentine’s.  There is a little something for everyone. Ruffles for those who love fun frills. The chevron pattern for the modern admirer. The quilted heart for the classic look.

The last couple of weeks so many beautiful baked creations emerged across the internet.  Since, I decided to change things up with my colors and designs. I decided to change-up my flavors as well and share my recipe with you, my Tangerine Cardamom cookies. Normally, I make orange cardamom cookies but decided to sub out my orange zest for tangerine zest. I had this grand plan to take pictures with this beautiful bowl of tangerines behind the cookies. After the pictures were taken, photos edited, I headed back to the kitchen to start on my cakes that are due. Low and behold there are those cute little tangerines sitting in my refrigerator {doh}!

Tangerine Cardamom Cookies

3 Cups Unbleached Flour

2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1 Pinch of Salt

3/4 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup Unsalted Butter

1 Egg

1 Tbsp. Tangerine Zest

1/2 to 1 Tsp. Cardamom*

1 Tsp. Brandy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk dry ingredients for 10 seconds.  Let butter stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.  Cream butter and tangerine zest for 2 minutes until it is light and fluffy.  Add sugar and beat for another 2 minutes.  Add egg and brandy, mix until combined.

Add flour gradually in 3 additions. Between the additions, scrape the bowl down.  Do not over mix. If the mixture seems a little dry add a little half and half or milk.  Remove the dough from the bowl and split in two.  Flatten the dough into a disc shape and wrap each disc in plastic wrap. Then I pop them in a larger plastic bag. Seal and place in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.  Dough will stay good in the refrigerator for 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling it out the cookies on a floured surface.

*Cardamom is a spice that goes really well in cookies and cakes. I think it pairs really well with orange flavors. Cardamom can be described as slightly sweet with floral accents, a hint of spice and citric elements.  I use a teaspoon in my recipe, but  some might find this over powering, so cut it back to 1/2 teaspoon.

Do you need help with bringing together tangerine and valentine designs? Here are some fabulous links to some tutorials from some of my favorite bakers:

• Haniela’s Quilted Cookie Tutorial - I used this tutorial to make the quilted cookies above
• Sweetopia’s Tutorial on Stenciling -The heart cookies with the ruffle border were made with a stencil
• The Baked Equation’s Chevron Pattern Tutorial

Related posts:

Valentine Cookie Kit Margarita Cookies {Recipe} The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012: Clove Crisps Ginger Orange Shortbread Cookies