Beat the butter and sugar together very well.

Add the eggs one at a time. Then add the milk, orange juice, and orange zest. The mixture may look a bit curdled, but don’t worry—it will come together once you add the flour.

In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients with half the flour. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients. Add enough flour so the dough is not too stiff, but doesn’t stick to your hands.

Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Shape the cookies as you like, and if you want, brush them with egg or milk or your chosen mixture. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on their size.