Be sure to check back for the rest of the recipes from this year's 12 Days of Cookies!

These cookies are something a little different.  Subtly sweet, and seasoned with orange and cardamom.  These cookies are a nice change from all the super sweet desserts that you know we're all eating this time of year.  Cardamom has a unique spicy-sweet flavor and a little goes a long way.  It's often used in Indian dishes and if you haven't tried it yet, you really should!

Orange Cardamom Sugar Cookies

• 2 1/2 c. Flour
• 1 1/2 Tbsp grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 c. salted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 Tbsp whole milk

Sift together the flour, orange zest, cardamom, and salt.  Set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes.  Add egg yolk and milk.

Mix in the flour mixture in 3 batches just until a dough forms. Divide dough into quarters and form each piece into a 6-inch disk, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, 2 to 3 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut out shapes, gathering, re-rolling and chilling scraps as necessary. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake 10-13 minutes, or until edges just barely begin to brown.  Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.