Orange chocolate chip cookies

I love today for so many reasons.

First and foremost, it's my baby sister's birthday!  Jenny turns a not-so-baby 28 (what?!).   It seems like just yesterday that I asked told my parents to bring home a girl from the hospital.  Okay, so maybe I simply created that memory from my parents' frequent retelling of the story.  Regardless of its origins, 28 years later, I'm happy to say I made the right call :)

Today is also my youngest cousin's birthday!  Seventeen years ago, sweet Lauren came into the world and set the bar ridiculously high for Jenny's birthday presents.  I can hardly believe the youngest of my cousins is heading to college next year.  They grow up so fast!

Last, but not least, I've got another chocolate chip cookie recipe to share.  And this one's a doozy - orange chocolate chip cookies!

Celebrating their birthdays has made me step back and take a moment to think about the fact that I've gotten to watch both of them grow up.  From shy and silly little girls -- their toddler pictures are so similar! -- to talented, confident, and beautiful ladies.  They are very different but have always shared one thing besides their birthday: a deep, unwavering love for chocolate chip cookies.


This variety has a slight twist on the classic cookie, thanks to the addition of orange zest and orange extract.  To be honest, I might never have given this recipe a serious look had it not been for my friend, Val, who made these for our weekend at Deep Creek.  I fell hard for these cookies the first night and certainly polished off more than my fair share of them.  Thankfully, my friends not only provide delicious treats but also don't openly judge me for devouring them.


That first hint of orange is the smell, which is so refreshing and inviting.  It's like these cookies are calling to you, and who has the heart (stomach) to turn a blind eye to dessert?

One chewy bite and the classic flavors of brown sugar and chocolate greet you like a long lost friend.  Slowly and quietly, the orange flavor makes its appearance; subtle and perfectly complementary.  These cookies will definitely remind you of orange Milanos!  Except that you can make them at home and have 'em any ol' time you want.


I only wish Jenny and Lauren lived closer so I could gift them with a big plate of freshly baked cookies.  A recipe made in their honor will have to do.

Ladies, this is an official I.O.U. for a batch of these addicting orange chocolate chip cookies. Happy birthday and I love you both!

Everyone else, you've gotta give these a try!  Love you, too :)

One year ago: Mini chicken taco tortilla bowls
Two years ago: Monkey bread
Three years ago: Apple muffins
Four years ago: Apple spice French toast


Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
(first shared by my friend Val, who adapted from this recipe)
-makes about 4 dozen cookies

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt 1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 Tablespoon orange zest
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Mix in extracts and orange zest.  Reduce speed to low and slowly add in dry mixture and mix until well incorporated.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop cookies by heaping tablespoonfuls onto a buttered cookie sheet and bake 9-11 minutes.  Allow to cool on cookie sheet several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cookies can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.