Simplicity can often be one of the greatest challenges in the kitchen. We always want to strive, to try new things that no one has ever done before. And yet, the basics, the simplest of dishes can present their own unique challenges. It's always fine to make a simple dish... so long as you do it well! For this week, the kitchens of Full Moon Cuisine took a basic, simple sugar cookie and turned up the volume a bit. Needing a small number of ingredients and a short bit of time, this recipe will have your guests enjoying excellent cookies fast. Here's what you'll need:

- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 sticks butter (at room temp)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
- 2 egg yolks (at room temp)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Zest of 1 orange

Note: This recipe will make approximately 2 dozen cookies

To begin, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside. Next, combine the butter with both sugars, mixing until light and fluffy. Add in the egg yolks, one at a time, then the vanilla and orange zest. Once combined, add in your dry ingredients in thirds until fully combined. Wrap the top of your bowl with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for approximately 30-minutes to let the dough set up.

As the half-hour comes to a close, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small ice cream scoop, or two tablespoons, roll out the dough into balls and roll them around in sugar. Here you can have some fun. For this batch, I used regular, granulated sugar, demerara sugar, and silver sugar (for the 'diamond' look). If you want, you could press these cookies down flatter/disc-like on the sheet, or leave them as balls (up to you). Place these on your baking sheet and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

With just a few ingredients and the addition of some zest, even the humble sugar cookie can be elevated to quite the treat. The key is to experiment. Take the basics and make them your own in some way. To help spread the word, the kitchen will be staying open late tonight. Care to place an order?

Want to know what this challenge is all about? Check out my journal and feel free to send in recipes for cookies! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3096204/