Lanaia's Chocolate Orange Drop Cookies

 

 These Chocolate Orange Drop Cookies are just what you want in a cookie for the holidays, pillowy soft, light hints of  orange rounded out with bites of chocolate.

My Dad (Larry) & Stepmom (Lanaia.. A.K..A. "Lani" )  recently  downsized to an RV, selling their home and traveling between the 8 kids & vacation spots while they still have time to live their best life. So in asking what of their possessions each of us would like to have, I mentioned I would love any of her recipes. She sent me her recipe box and what a treasure trove that is!

I pulled a handful of cookie recipes that I want to try out this season and see what our family thinks, so I am starting off my cookie testing now, so I know what to add into our holiday baking in few weeks. These Chocolate Orange Drops are my first test, and boy I am in LOVE!  Definately a keeper!

Jan's Tips:

1) Cream Cheese: original recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups of softened cream cheese, that is just a bit short of 2 packages, I just  used the whole 2 packages and it seemed to work out beautifully for me.

2) Shortening Vs. Butter: calls for shortening, and I did use shortening, but I would bet butter would be fine. If you use salted butter, I would cut out the salt in the recipe. 

3) Vanilla Vs. Orange flavor: I happened to have Orange baking emulsion flavor (Lorann's brand) and substituted that for the vanilla. I did also add the fresh orange zest/ peel. It still turned out to be a light orange flavor,, but you can for sure taste it. if you want a stronger flavor, I suggest playing wtih how much extra to add, but we like it as is.

4) Don't over bake! Check them at 10 minutes you want just  a hint of brown starting to show at bottom of cookie. Pull them then, and let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes (they are so soft!) then move to cooling rack. They remain soft like a pillowy cloud.. so good!

Ready to bake? 

Click here for Printable (or save) Recipe

Chocolate Orange Drops

Makes approximately 6 dozen. 

Ingredients:

2 cups shortening ( or butter)

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese softened 

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs

1 Tablespoon orange peel

1 Tablespoon vanilla ( Jan used orange flavoring)

4 cups flour 

5 teaspoons baking powder 

2 teaspoons salt

4 cups chocolate chips 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together shortening, cheese, & sugars.

Add eggs, orange peel, and vanilla ( or orange ) flavor ; beat well. 

Mix in baking powder, salt & flour. Add in Chocolate chips, mix well.

Drop by Large Tablespoons or cookie scoop 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes, do not over bake. 

Let cool 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. 

Grandma's Zucchini Bread

Family Recipes are what makes life the best! and this Zucchini bread recipe has filled our families summers with sweet deliciousness for generations.

 With fresh zucchini in abundance from our gardens, there was always a batch of this bread on hand in the kitchen. Our favorite way as child to eat it was lightly toasted with a schmear of peanut butter!

 I grew up with my dad (Larry )  having the recipe, but I've tracked the recipe back to  Grandmay, and now we've passed it along to our children so it just keeps the memories alive for more generations.

 Why am I calling it Blue Ribbon Zucchini bread? I was involved in 4-H when I was growing up. It is a wonderful organization to teach youth so many skills and be involved in community! I always submitted this recipe to our county fair competition every year, and it always came out the winner, every time. Well, except one year. Grandma had come down to help us out one summer, and had accidentally filled our "sugar" bowl" with salt. so when i went to make the bread, I measured out what I thought was sugar, and apparently it wasn't. The judge knew something must have gone wrong, and noticing my despair , said I could make another batch that night and bring it back in the morning and they'd judge it again for me. phew.. wasn't that wonderful? 2nd chances?  Grandma  and I ended up laughing about it later and always had a special bond over Zucchini bread! s z

Printable Copy

Zucchini Bread

Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients: 

3 eggs

2 cups zucchini grated (no need to peel)

1 cup  vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla

3 Cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon baking powder

Optional: chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray 2 (9x5x3 inch ) loaf pans with non stick cooking spray.
• In mixing bowl, beat eggs till light & foamy.  Add oil, sugar & vanilla, mixing well,
• Stir in zucchini mix lightly but well. Add in flour, salt soda, cinnamon,  & baking powder to wet ingredients and mix well.  Add optional ingredients.
• Pour batter evenly between prepared pans. 
• Bake 1 hour or until tests done in the center with a toothpick.