Unique and Yummy: Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

This unique and yummy cookie recipe is credited to my great-Aunt; it's been a family favorite for decades. It takes slightly different supplies than a lot of cookie recipes, so make sure you have everything you need before beginning! It's definitely worth a few extra things on the grocery list, though.

Here's the lineup: Oranges (you just need the grated skin), shortening, cream cheese, flour, vanilla, eggs, chocolate chips (we use mini for this recipe), sugar and salt.

First, you'll want to grate your orange peel. You need 2 Tbsp. for each batch. Make sure you wash your orange first!!!

Next, a cup of shortening (I have more because I tripled the recipe - we have a big family!).

Add a cup of sugar.

Half a package of cream cheese (again, I tripled the recipe). I softened the cream cheese slightly in the microwave.

2 eggs for each batch.

And your little heap of orange zest!

Cream together and stir in 2 tsp. vanilla.

Mix 2 cups flour and a teaspoon of salt in a separate bowl and add to wet mixture.

Switch to a bigger bowl because you underestimated how much room the batter would take...and stir it all together. :)

And then...the moment all chocolate lovers wait for - add your chocolate chips! :D Like I said, we traditionally use the mini ones for this recipe. I have no idea why, but it would be just wrong to make them with regular chocolate chips. If you must divert from tradition, just don't tell me about it. :) The recipe calls for 6 oz. per batch, but I used a 12 oz. bag for this tripled recipe and it was plenty.

Stir the chocolate chips in. The batter's pretty thick, so it takes a little arm muscle. Unless, of course, you have a stand mixer, in which case, sit back and relax!

Admire the cool swirly patterns in the batter. :)

Scoop/drop onto a greased cookie sheet. I used a small scoop to make them go further, since this is a little more expensive than some cookie recipes. Bake at 35o F for 12 minutes.

Here they are, done! Pale little fellows, huh? That's something extremely important to remember about this recipe - these do not turn brown! And they hardly rise or spread at all. If you wait for them to turn brown, you will have very crunchy little cookies!

The pale hordes....

They only brown a little around the edges and on the bottom (see below), but they are done. Don't fry the poor little things to death!

These are a little different, but definitely worth it. They're excellent warm, but are even better the next day as the subtle orange flavor settles into the cookie. Keep them stored in an airtight container and they should keep well for a few days. If you're in the mood for chocolate chip cookies but want to break a little with tradition, give these a try! :D

Here's the complete recipe in more compact form:

Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 C Crisco

1 C sugar

1/2 package cream cheese

2 eggs

2 T grated orange peel

2 tsp. vanilla

2 C flour

1 tsp. salt

1 (6oz.) pkg. chocolate chips—we traditionally use the mini ones for this recipe.

Cream shortening, sugar, cream cheese, eggs and orange peel. Stir in vanilla.

In separate bowl mix flour and salt. Add to wet ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. (They don’t seem to brown much).

Enjoy!!!