Carrot Cookies with Orange-Brown Butter Glaze

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 3 large carrots, peeled and finely grated (about 1 1/4 cups)
2. 1/4 cup water
3. 2 cups all-purpose flour
4. 2 teaspoons baking powder
5. 1/8 teaspoon salt
6. 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
7. 3/4 cup sugar
8. 1 large egg
9. Finely grated zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
10. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
11. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
12. 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
13. 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
14. 1 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, cook the carrots in the water over moderate heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer, in another bowl, beat the shortening with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then beat in the carrots, lemon zest and vanilla. Beat in the dry ingredients at low speed just until combined.
3. Spoon 2-tablespoon-size mounds of batter onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets and bake for about 25 minutes on the top and middle racks of the oven, or until golden and risen; shift the sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly.