1 1/4 sticks butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
Grated rind of 2 oranges
2 tbsp orange juice
Few drops of orange food coloring (optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Grease 2 baking sheets or line with nonstick baking parchment. In a mixing bowl beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add all the remaining ingredients and begin to mix well. Using your hands, bring the mixture together to form a soft dough. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a ball using the palms of your hands. Roll backward and forwards so that one end begins to get thinner and you produce a carrot shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and lift onto baking sheets. Using the back of a knife, lightly score marks all over the carrots.

Bake cookies 15-20 minutes or until golden on edges.