Christmas tree-shaped Citrus Shortbread

With the month of November coming up, there is always this automatic trigger to my mind that the best season of the year is just round the next two corners.  Soon, Christmas songs will be played in all Shopping Malls, on Airs through Radio Broadcasts, and not to mention in my sweet home.  With this Christmas fever filling the air, I take a peek through my drawer searching for any interesting kitchen item which will not only brings me to Christmas Dreamland, as well as something to fulfill my cravings.  See what I found?  

Ingredients:

150 g plain flour (sifted)

1 tbsp + 1 tsp rice flour (sifted)

125 g unsalted butter (chopped)

1/4 cup icing sugar (sifted)

1/2 lemon zest (finely grated)

1/2 orange zest (finely grated)

Frosting:

1/4 cup icing sugar (sifted)

1 tbsp fresh orange juice

a drop of yellow coloring

some extra icing sugar (for dusting)

Methods:

1. In a large mixing bowl add flour, icing sugar and stir in both the zests. Mix the ingredients with a spoon.
2. Using floured finger tips rub in the butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs and press together to form a dough.
3. Turn out the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead gently.
4. Roll out the dough into about 7 mm thick and cut out using the Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter and place them on lined baking trays.  Repeat till all is done.
5. Bake in a preheated oven of 160 degree Celsius for about 15 minutes or until golden in color.  Allow the shortbread to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. For the frosting, put the icing sugar into a medium bowl, add in the orange juice and the yellow coloring and stir with a spoon until smooth. Drizzle frosting over the cooled shortbread and dust with the extra icing sugar.

small Christmas Tree

big Christmas Tree

Notes:  If you prefer a more pungent taste, use fresh lemon juice instead of orange juice. This shortbread is not as sweet as cookies, thus the dusting of icing sugar at the final step is relevant.  I am mentioning this because most people are trying to be more health conscious these days.  So, nothing to worry....