The thing about keeping a baking blog is the baking. I love the act of baking, the science of it. I like that I can throw some ingredients together and come up with something that makes people feel satisfied. But, inevitably, I end up with 24 muffins and only 2 people to feed them to. Or 5 dozen cookies and no holidays on which to blame them. That's why whenever the occasion arises, I always volunteer my baking services for the good of the cause. I get to play in the kitchen and pawn the results off on someone else. I get to bake and my kitchen doesn't end up looking like an episode of Hoarders.

I especially enjoy a challenge, and I got the chance when the yoga studio I work for decided to host an open house. "I'll bake cookies!" instantaneously fell out of my mouth when I heard the proposal to promote our studio with a meet and greet with the teachers, friendly conversation, and, of course, free snacks. But then I remembered who we were marketing to: yogis. Not that yogis are all super skinny, willowy, bendy, bouncy gymnasts. Trust me, I know for a fact that yogis and yoginis come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and levels of flexibility. That's the great thing about yoga - anyone can practice it. It's sad that yoga has gained such a reputation of exclusivity when that's the opposite of its teachings. But anyways, getting away from my yoga rant, the point is, we're supposed to be promoting a healthy lifestyle (regardless of your current life choices) and shoveling cookies down someone's throat isn't exactly sending the right message.

So I found a recipe for Honey Citrus Drops, which only used 4 tablespoons of butter - instead of the norm, which, for me, would be an entire stick. And I made them bite-size, aiding in the ability to not eat too much. Although, they were so tasty - and perfect for spring - that it was difficult to eat just one, and the miniature size maybe worked against me. But you're on a baking blog, presumably looking for baked goods, so maybe calorie count is the last thing on your mind. If that's the case, try these cookies anyway, and leave the guilt at the keyboard.

Start with 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour in a medium sized bowl and sift in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cream 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar in a larger bowl. Add 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon honey to the butter mixture. Fold in 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and 1 teaspoon lemon extract. Finally, gradually add the dry ingredients. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on nonstick baking sheets. (Don’t flatten.) Bake for 9 minutes.