Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Another great recipe from Our Forking Blog. When I first read the title of this recipe I thought to myself, "Hmm this looks too tasty to be easy enough for me to make." But since Paul and I had just had an amazing orange creamsicle bar from a bakery in downtown Charleston, I had to at least look at the recipe. To my great and joyful surprise it looked like something even I could make with my limited baking skills.

Orange Cremesicle Cookies

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange zest (for me that was the zest of 2 oranges)
2 cups Guitard Choc-Au-Lait Vanilla Chips (I used white chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture until combined. Stir in orange zest and chips.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Do not flatten cookies; it will make them dry. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Do not overcook! Cookies will be plump. Cool for several minutes on cookie sheets before transferring to rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

 

I actually made them as a surprise for Paul as a welcome home from his business trip this week. I also shared them with some friends. They got rave reviews all around.

 

I couldn't believe how that little bit of orange zest perfumed the cookies. Every time I open the container of cookies I get a whiff of the lovely scent of oranges.

If you are tired of the old stand by cookies, give this recipe a try. Impress your family and friends with this seemingly complicated cookie. They will be I'm sure of it.