Go Back
+ servings
Grandma's Log Cabin Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Cure your sweet tooth cravings with this vintage #cookie #recipe. It tastes like a #ShortbreadCookie since it's soft and puffy in texture. It's filled with #OrangeZest & #LemonJuice & absolutely delightful for #holiday #baking. Excellent for a #ChristmasCookieExchange, #tailgating or #Christmas parties, & sharing with family & friends. #dessert #HolidayDessert #OrangeDessert #LogCabinCookies #GrandmasLogCabinCookies

Grandma's Log Cabin Cookies

Teresa Ambra
Cure your sweet tooth cravings with a batch of Grandma's Log Cabin Cookies. This vintage recipe includes orange zest and lemon extract for a pop in flavor. These shortbread-style cookies are soft and plump and delightful for any holiday or tailgating party, Christmas Cookie Exchange or Christmas gathering with friends. You'll fall in love after the first marvelous bite!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 55
Calories 123 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 18x26" cookie sheet pans
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 grater or orange zester
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 small bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Crisco shortening
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 5 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 1 orange rind grated
  • 2 tsp. lemon extract
  • 8 tsp. baking powder (YES, THAT'S EIGHT TEASPOONS!)
  • 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar to roll the cookie dough in

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Combine shortening, granulated sugar, and eggs in a mixing bowl and mix with an electric mixer until thoroughly mixed.
  • Add orange rind, lemon extract and baking powder and mix again with an electric mixer being sure to work all the baking powder into all areas of the dough.
  • Add half and half and cream the ingredients with the electric mixer until fluffy.
  • (I added it slowly to avoid spatters).
  • Stir in flour until the dough is very well mixed.
  • Chill dough at least one hour so it’s easier to handle.
  • Remove bowl of dough from refrigerator.
  • Place powdered sugar in a small mixing bowl.
  • Pinch off golf-ball sized pieces of dough.
  • Roll dough into balls; then roll the dough into powdered sugar.
  • Place balls on greased baking sheets leaving room so the balls aren’t crowded.
  • Bake approximately 10-12 minutes or until done.
  • Rotate cookie sheets on oven racks after eight minutes of baking time. 

Notes

NOTE: This is a very gooey dough. You will have to chill the dough before it can be rolled into balls. I chilled the dough overnight.
 
NOTE: Yes, this old, vintage recipe uses eight teaspoons of baking powder!
 
NOTE: My oven took 17 minutes to bake these cookies.
 
NOTE: I found it easier to keep my hands moist while rolling the dough into balls.
 
Recipe adapted from Northpole.com Kitchen Cookbook.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 83mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 31IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword christmas cookie exchange, cookies, dessert, holiday baking, lemon extract, orange zest
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!