I don’t know about you, but I adore shortbread cookies.

My husband Bob says he dislikes shortbread cookies because he thinks they are boring, but he likes these. It must be the icing and the intensely orange flavoring that make these not-so-boring. I make fun of my husband in my cookbooks all the time.

I don’t think he minds it, because he gets to eat pretty well.

Bag-End Biscuits

I invented these delicious cookies to console Bilbo after the Dwarf invasion of his snug cottage.

• 3 large oranges
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon soft salted butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups powdered sugar

Using a microplaner or fine grater, remove as much of the zest from the oranges as you can. You should have at least 3 tablespoons; set aside. Cut oranges in half and juice them. If necessary, strain the juice; reserve ¼ cup and save the rest in a small bowl.

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a large (18” by 13”) baking sheet with cooking spray or grease lightly. In a large bowl, cream the 1 cup butter, sugar, and 2 tablespoons zest. Add the flour and the reserved ¼ cup juice; mix well. On a lightly floured surface, pat and roll out the dough to a 6″ by 12″ rectangle, about ½” thick. Cut into 1″ by 2″ pieces. Carefully place on the baking sheet. Bake 16-20 minutes, until the cookies are just slightly brown on the bottom. Cool on pan for 2 minutes. Carefully place them on a rack and cool for one hour.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, remaining zest, and 2 tablespoons juice. This should have the consistency of an icing, not a glaze. You might add a smidge more juice if you think it is too thick. With a recessed spatula, spread about a teaspoon of icing on each cookie and leave on rack over the baking sheet for about ½ hour to set.

Keep covered at room temperature.

Makes 36.

Bag-End Biscuits

I invented these delicious cookies to console Bilbo after the Dwarf invasion of his snug cottage.

• 3 large oranges
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon soft salted butter
• ½ cup sugar . . .

Astrid's three "Life in the Shire" recipes: