Fluffy, creamy, orange and chocolate chip cookies
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 teaspoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange rind grated
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange rind grated
- Carbohydrate 219.607222275878 g
- Cholesterol 396.440619333333 mg
- Fat 75.2771428097895 g
- Fiber 8.15693851225005 g
- Protein 21.82350626949 g
- Saturated Fat 37.4393390119704 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Dozen (408g)
- Sodium 221.44172912273 mg
- Sugar 211.450283763628 g
- Trans Fat 5.42776933862815 g
- Calories 1563 calories
Step-by-step
- DOUGH
- Pre-heat oven to 350. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Sift flour and salt onto wax paper. Beat shortening, sugar and cream cheese in bowl until mixed. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add juice and rind. Blend in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake in pre-heated oven for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned around edges. Cool on racks.
- ORANGE ICING
- Gradually beat sugar into softened cream cheese until well blended. Stir in orange juice and rind. Spread tops with icing. Garnish with thin strips of orange rind.
The Critical Rind Grating Technique
Zesting fruit requires precision because the bitter white pith sits directly beneath the colorful outer skin. Microplanes yield fine shreds of orange rind that distribute essential oils evenly throughout the fat phase without introducing bitterness. Fresh citrus provides volatile compounds that bottled juice lacks entirely, which brightens heavy batters significantly.Balancing Shortening and Cream Cheese
Cream cheese contains moisture and milk solids that alter spread during baking compared to pure fat. Softening both the shortening and the cheese to room temperature before mixing prevents curdling and ensures a uniform emulsion. Standard American cookie formulas historically paired citrus with dairy long before commercial extracts existed, relying on fresh produce availability.Managing the Icing Consistency
Gradually incorporating powdered sugar into the softened cheese base prevents lumps from forming in the glaze. Spread the finished icing onto cooled surfaces rather than warm ones to avoid melting the fat structure. Storing these baked items in a sealed container at cool room temperatures maintains the soft crumb texture for up to three days.
