Orange Creamsicle Cookies

This month’s Food ‘n Flix film was The Witches of Eastwick, hosted by Kimberly at Coffee & Casseroles.  In Food ‘n Flix, participants watch the selected movie, then make something delicious inspired by the film!

 

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This is a late 80’s film I wasn’t familiar with, but does have a lot of familiar actors, so I gave it a whirl.  It was odd.

At times it was a campy 80’s movie and then it would abruptly turn into a weird horror-esque scene.  I kept feeling like I was missing something.

In the movie the 3 “witches” (in quotes because I never actually remember them being referred to as witches) are hanging out having a girls night (read: man bashing) and seem to inadvertently conjure a man (demon?  Again, unclear).  In fact, the women seem to be unwitting participants in most of the “magic”.  It felt like parts were missing in the story.

As I was researching the movie (after watching it), I discovered that it was actually based on a book by the same name.  So I high tailed it back to the library (where I had gotten the movie) and checked out the book.

Initially, I liked the book, because it filled in many of the missing details from the movie.  In the book, the women are witches outright and everyone knows it.  They perform all the magic and Darryl is just there to make the reader confused and host sexy parties…with lots of booze and drugs.  By the end of the book (as in the movie) it is still unclear whether the women inadvertently conjured him or not.

However, the book gets just as weird and gross as the movie (though the plots diverge significantly about half way through (around the time Clyde brains his wife with a fire poker (Yes, really (and also ew)))).  Oh and the disgusting cherry scene in the movie (barf) is completely different (and somehow less disgusting) in the book.

From what I can tell the book (and presumably the movie) is a misguided attempt at modern(ish) feminism.  These women embraced their power within, put themselves first, and came in to their own…all while neglecting their (many) children, sleeping around, cursing people, and having orgies.  Yuck.

From a foodie stand point, there is lots of inspiration in both book & movie.  Junk foods and booze take point into both.  Fruit and extravagant dishes are often seen in the movie and Mexican foods and hors d’oeuvres are prominent in the book.

I took my recipe inspiration from both and made Orange Creamsicle Cookies.  From the movie, I was inspired by the vast tablescapes of fruit.  The book references many fruity drinks, such as a peach martini and various margaritas (actually, they’re seen drinking many drinks in the movie, too).  Since I’ve already made an Orange Creamsicle Martini (so so good!), I decided to make the cookie version!

These bite sized cookies are a delicate little treat with a light orange flavor.  I think they’d be perfect for a Mother’s Day Tea or Girls Night (minus the witches and orgies, of course).

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Cookies

6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

6 tbsp granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice

2 tsp orange zest

½ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp salt

1 ¼ cup all purpose flour

Frosting

1 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

2 tsp fresh squeezed orange juice

½ tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.

Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until the butter is light and fluffy.

Add the egg yolk, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt.  Mix until combined.  Add the flour and stir until mixed.

Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out dough balls (about 1 ½ inches diameter).  Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet.  Press down lightly with the heel of your hand to flatten into a small disc.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set.  Move to wire racks to cool.

Once cool, make the frosting by mixing the cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla together. 

Use an offset spatula to ice the cookies. 

Allow the frosting to dry before placing the cookies in an airtight container.

Makes 22 bite sized cookies

Want more?  Check out these recipes!

Orange Creamsicle Martini

Melted Witch Candy Bark Bites

Muddy Buddy Frappuccino

Confetti Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm also linking this post up to May Foodies Read hosted by Heather from Based on a True Story.