Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup all vegetable shortening, unflavored, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 medium orange
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tsp orange extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt; whisk them together for 30 seconds, then put the bowl aside. Add the 1/2 cup butter, shortening, sugar, and orange zest to a stand mixer bowl and beat on medium speed until the mixture looks very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, stopping now and then to scrape the bowl. Beat in the egg until incorporated, then mix in the egg white, orange extract, and vanilla extract until incorporated. While the mixer runs, gradually pour in the dry mixture and stop as soon as the dough comes together. Move the dough into an airtight container and chill it for 2 – 3 hours. During the last 10 minutes of chilling, heat the oven to 375.
2. Scoop the dough and roll it into balls about the size of a golf ball, 40 g each. Arrange the dough balls on baking sheets lined with Silpat or parchment paper, sprinkle the tops lightly with flour, and press them into rounds about 1/3-inch thick with your hands or the base of a large measuring cup. Bake for 8 – 11 minutes in the heated oven; the cookies should stay soft, and a gentle poke should leave a mark, but the centers should not be doughy. Leave them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once completely cool, frost the cookies and add sprinkles if desired. Store them in an airtight container.
3. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the orange extract, then add the powdered sugar and mix until the frosting is smooth, well blended, and fluffy.