Chocolate Orange Cookies

Name: Chocolate Orange Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 3/4 cup sugar, divided; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup finely grated orange zest; 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted

My three sisters like the combination of chocolate and orange as much as I do, so we all really savor these beautiful cookies. The candied orange peel on top is a special twist. —Ruth Rumple, Rockford, Ohio

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup finely grated orange zest
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted

Directions

Cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes.
On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. cookie cutter or shape into 2x1-in. rectangles. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Combine orange zest and remaining sugar; spread thin layer over cookies.
Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Melt chocolate chips; decorate cookies.