We’ve been on quite a journey with our MBTA-inspired cookies. Red Line was a breeze—red velvet felt like a no-brainer. Blue Line? We spotted a blueberry cookie and thought, “Let’s give it a go!” But, much like the actual MBTA, the Orange and Green Lines proved to be a real challenge.
Whenever I’d ask friends about the Orange Line, the conversation would inevitably veer into jokes about how it should be hot and spicy—after all, there was that infamous train fire over the Mystic River, leaving some people to jump from the train into the Mystic River. One woman, refusing a water rescue, swam to shore and has lived in my head rent-free ever since. The Orange Line’s history is full of twists, turns, and the occasional dramatic moment—much like our quest to get this cookie just right.
This past weekend, while out celebrating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, my friends and I listened to some classic MBTA complaints from tourists. We reminded the crowd that Boston had the first subway, and, well, we haven’t exactly kept up with the times. The Orange Line diver story never fails to shock tourists—and it’s proof that the T, for all its quirks, is part of what makes Boston, Boston.
After all that, we’re thrilled to finally put our Orange Line cookie into service. And trust me, it was worth the wait.
We start with granulated sugar and unsalted butter, creaming them together until smooth. Then come the eggs, fresh orange juice, and orange zest—at this stage, the kitchen smells like a citrus grove in full bloom. Next, our favorite King Arthur Flour joins the mix, along with leaveners and just a touch of kosher salt to balance the sweetness. White chocolate chips climb aboard, and we hand-scoop and roll each dough ball in orange sugar before baking them to chewy perfection.
The result? A cookie that’s soft, bright, and reminiscent of a creamsicle—an ode to the Orange Line’s color and a sweet reward for a bumpy ride.
We hope you’ll enjoy this month’s cookie as much as we enjoyed the journey to get here. And if you find yourself stuck waiting for the next train, at least you’ll have something delicious to snack on.
Don't Crumble,
Heather