Double Chocolate Chip Cookies...with Orange flavor!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies...with Orange flavor!

This is one amazing CHOCOLATY cookie! I just had to share it with you. The neat part...it's made from scratch! No box mix, and it's just as easy to make. It really couldn't be any easier. The recipe is from AllRecipes of all places...love that site. You can adjust amount of servings, in case you don't want to make the whole batch. I cut mine in half. It is one great recipe to have on hand.... I hope I never lose it. I should write it down somewhere, in case blogger crashes on me:) Seriously, if you love chocolate and cookies, you will probably like this cookie. Its chocolaty, chewy, and fudgy. Sort of like a brownie. Oh, did I say it was chocolaty?:) Can't stress that enough... Definitely NOT for the fainthearted.

This cookie recipe does not require you to melt any chocolate. It is simple and quick. You use cocoa instead. As much as I like to use melted chocolate in my desserts, using the cocoa brought excellent results. I really couldn't tell the difference. Not to mention that it costs less and eliminates washing too many pots/pans. I like to use the Hershey's Special DARK cocoa. It is a special blend of natural cocoa and dutch processed cocoa. The dutch processed cocoa provides a more intense chocolate flavor. I have not made it with the regular cocoa...but, I am sure it would be just as good. The first time I made this recipe(actually, my husband made it:) ....we followed the recipe as written. It was very, very good. But we both felt it was a tad too sweet(warm out of the oven). It lost some of its sweetness the second day. The second time around, I decreased the sugar amount. It was wonderful! I think I will make it that way from now on. Please feel free to make the original version.... We also felt that it would benefit from some type of flavoring...otherwise, it becomes just another chocolate cookie(a good one at that!). But, if you are cooking at home, why not make it your own? I like to add additional flavorings just to make the cookie even more special. Then you will know that it isn't store-bought. Orange peel/extract is a really good one, as well as peppermint or raspberry. Nuts are optional. You can top the cookies with just a few nuts, instead of mixing it in the cookie dough. Try varying the chocolate chips for variety. If you don't want your cookies to be too chocolaty, omit the chocolate chips. Either way, the base for the cookie dough is wonderful. It comes together so quickly, even the kids can whip up a batch.

You can also freeze the cookie dough. Just make cookie balls, freeze till hardened, and place in a freezer bag. This way you have ready-made cookie dough at your fingertips....ready to be baked, any time of the day:). These cookies are a perfect gift for sharing...give it to a friend, co-worker, or neighbor. Wrap them in a nice box and tie a pretty ribbon...it will brighten their day. Hope you enjoy...

You will need: Adapted from AllRecipes

Makes about 20 cookies, the original recipe was doubled...I halved it.

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar (I used 1/2 cup...)
1 eggs

2 tsps orange zest

1 tsp orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder ( I used Hershey's Special DARK Cocoa)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (reserve some for topping)
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional...I just topped a few with some pecans)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

1. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the zest here too:)

2. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt;

3.Stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

4. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheets. I usually roll the dough in my hands to form a ball. Place some nuts or chocolate chips on top of the rounded cookie dough, slightly pushing them in the dough. This way they won't fall off when baked.
5. Refrigerate cookies for 15-20 minutes, while you clean up and preheat the oven.
6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set.

7. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.