Paper Palate

I’m on a bit of a cookie kick lately. With school getting ready to start and the cooler temperatures we’ve been enjoying, it just seems like I need to bake. I also like to get some cookies into the freezer so I always have some on hand if I need to bring a little something to someone or pull some out when we are having friends over.

I’ve had Southern Living All-Time Favorite Cookie Recipes (Southern Living) for quite a long time. I’ve made a few different cookies from it, but never marked the recipe for Orange-Chocolate Chip Cookies. Of course, when I first got the cookbook, I’m not sure I even thought this flavor combination would be tasty. Tastes tend to change as you get older and are exposed to more flavors over time. I had all the ingredients on hand, so these cookies were destined to be made.  

The batter went together in a matter of minutes and even before baking, the fresh scent of orange wafted up from the batter. I was a little uncertain that I could get 3 dozen cookies out of the batter that I had as it didn’t look like very much. When I reread the instructions, I realized that rather than dropping by the tablespoon, it was a teaspoon. I loved that these were going to be a bite-size cookie. These cakelike cookies melt in your mouth. The orange and chocolate complement each other in such a way that you can’t help but go back for another cookie. Thank goodness they are small cookies so that you can indulge in more than one without as much guilt. I did substitute 1/3 less fat cream cheese for the full-fat cream cheese since that is what I had on hand, and I think that they baked up beautifully.

If you have room for another cookbook on your shelf, this is one worth having.

Orange-Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: Southern Living All-Time Favorite Cookie Recipes

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
3 ounces cream cheese, softened (reduced-fat cream cheese can be subsituted)
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Combine shortening through egg in a large bowl; beat until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and orange rind; beat well.

Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: 3 dozen.