This cookie is a winter holiday of your choice tradition at Chez Eponymous. Although Noteponymous actually makes the cookies in the house, I eat most of these -- and I do not like cookies, as a rule.

Combine 1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar and 1 cup butter flavored Crisco (I swear by the stuff, so does sie), beat at medium until well blended. Add 1 egg, 1/4 cup light corn syrup (or pancake syrup. I bet they'd be really good with real maple syrup), *fresh* grated orange peel (about 2 Tbs, one whole orange worth), 1 tsp vanilla (go light on vanilla of you're using flavored syrup), 1/2 tsp orange extract (be generous). Beat until well blended and fluffy.

Combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 tsp cardamom, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, other spices per your personal taste. Do not, under any circumstances, leave out the cardamom. Add gradually to creamed mixture, mixing at low speed until well blended. If mix is too dry add up to 1/4 cup water. Divide into two parts, roll each part into a 12" log, wrap in plastic wrap, chill overnight. Important.

Preaheat oven to 375 degrees fondly farenheit. Slice 1/4" thick. Very important to slice uniformly. Bake 1" apart on greased pans, 7-9 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned. Overbaking these will wreck them so be finicky. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet, then finish cooling on aluminum foil. Foil, I said, it works best.

Gorge yourself.