Belgian Witbier Cookies ~ #CreativeCookieExchange

“For a quart of Ale is a dish for a king.” And Belgian Witbier Cookies are the dessert.

Beer in cookies is a thing, and the Creative Cookie Exchange is going all in this month with recipes that embrace this theme. In fact I have made brownies in the past that have stout in them and there were delicious.  This time I wanted to go in a different direction and as citrus season is upon us, I wanted to do something with oranges. This recipe, using a Belgian Witbier, embraces that idea.

Originating in Belgium, this unfiltered style of ale is quite pale and cloudy in appearance due to the high level of wheat, and sometimes oats, used in the mash. It is generally spiced with coriander and orange peel.  It is often referred to as "white beer" (witbier) due to the cloudiness created by yeast. It is one of my favorite beers, and in this instance, I used Blue Moon.

Now before you start thinking that these cookies are going to be way too strong due to the beer,  it is actually mixed with some honey and deduced over a medium heat until it is a thin syrup.  This takes away any bitterness and brings out the orange and coriander flavors found in the beer itself.  Both orange zest and coriander are added to the cookie dough so you get a nice big punch of flavor.

I usually have a preference for a crunchy cookie, but I really loved these soft, pillowy, cake-like cookies.  As you can see I could not resist taking a bite - all quality control I can assure you. Once you have reduced the syrup and have everything else measured these cookies come together in no time.  Be warned they do tend to spread, so unless you want one giant cookie after you have baked them, I suggest placing only 6 scoops on a cookie tray at a time that have a good distance between them. I used a cookie scoop to place them on the cookie sheet but a regular large spoon would work as well. These cookies are good on their own, but do yourself a favor and make the effort to ice them and sprinkle a little extra orange zest on the top.  You will be glad you did.

If you would like to know more about #CreativeCookieExchange and see what the other bakers made for the Beer theme please scroll down below the recipe.


Belgian Witbier Cookies

Printer Friendly Recipe

Ingredients
Cookies ~

• 710ml (2x12 oz. bottles) Blue Moon beer
• 70g (5 tablespoons) honey
• 175g (1½ sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 165g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla
• zest of 1 orange
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 330g (2½ cups) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Icing ~

• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 120g (1 cup) powdered sugar
• 15ml (1 tablespoon) orange juice
• 15ml (1 tablespoon) milk
• zest of ½ orange

Preparation

Cookies ~

1. In a medium saucepan, combine beer and honey, and reduce over medium heat until you have about ⅓ cup of liquid; cool to room temperature.
2. While it’s cooling, preheat the oven to 180℃ (350℉)
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the beater blade add the butter and sugar and mix until it is light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
5. Add the vanilla, orange zest, coriander, and beer reduction and mix together.
6. Mix the flour and baking soda together then slowly add to the batter.
7. Scoop 6 mounds of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat. 
8. Bake for 15 or until light golden brown.
9. Cool on a cooling rack while you prepare the icing.

Icing ~

1. Combine vanilla, milk and orange juice in a small cup.
2. In another bowl, place powdered sugar, and slowly add the milk mixture to the sugar, drop by drop, until you reach a paste-like consistency.
3. Spread the icing on the cookies with a butter knife and garnish with a bit of orange zest.

Beer in cookies? Heck yeah beer in cookies! Beer has great depth that plays well with sugar--keep reading to see what all we made!

You can also use us as a great resource for cookie recipes. Be sure to check out our Pinterest Board and our monthly posts (you can find all of them here at The Spiced Life). You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.


If you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made ~

• Belgian Witbier Cookies from All That's Left Are The Crumbs
• Crystalized Ginger and Amber Ale Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Mocha Stout Cookies from Food Lust People Love
• Spiced Molasses Amber Ale Cookies from The Spiced Life