Honey is Music to my Mouth...

...is what Pooh Bear said when he tried these Dorie Greenspan cookies. I had been wanting to try these cookies for a while but never got around to it until I was studying for my Step 1 exam. Dorie describes them as an idea from the "back to earth movement in the 1970's." These have wheat germ in them...what attracted me to them...honey, and lemon zest. Honey is definitely very sweet and has a distinct taste. I didn't have lemon, so I used orange. I just love the way Dorie incorporates zests into sugar...the fragrance is amazing. The orange worked well, but I'd like to try it with the lemon as well, as I think that flavor combination will be a bit better. Because of the antioxidants in lemons and the healthy benefits of wheat germ, this is my entry to Sweetnick's ARF Tuesday. Head over to her site to check out the other recipes. Honey Wheat Cookies

adapted from Cooking: from my home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

1 3/4 cups AP flour

1 cup wheat germ, divided

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons orange zest

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temp

1/2 cup honey

1 large egg

Whisk together in a large bowl the flour, 1/2 cup wheat germ, baking powder, and salt. Rub the sugar and orange zest together with your fingers until the sugar is moist. Add butter and beat on medium until creamy and smooth. Add honey and beat another minute or so. Add the egg and beat 2 more minutes. Reduce speed and add the dry ingredients in 2 portions, only until the flour disappears. Scrape onto a piece of plastic wrap, wrap well, and chill for at least 2 hours (up to 2 days). Preheat oen to 350 degrees F. Place 1/2 cup wheat germ in a separate bowl. Remove chilled dough and roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the wheat germ. Place balls on a baking pan and press down slightly with your hand. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just firm to the touch. Cool on cooling rack.