Recipe: Orange-Chocolate Rounds (slice-and-bake cookies)

ORANGE-CHOCOLATE ROUNDS


1 cup butter,softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.

Divide dough in half. Stir orange peel into one dough half; stir melted chocolate into the other half. If necessary, cover and chill about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Shape each half of dough into a 10-inch long roll. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Chill for 2 hours or until firm.

Cut each chilled roll lengthwise into quarters; reassembling rolls, alternating chocolate and orange quarters. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes or until firm.

Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place slices 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 7-9 minutes or until edges are firm and lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.

Makes 60 cookies
Source: Cookies For Christmas by Jennifer Darling