Christmas Cookies Day 3 - Double Chocolate Orange Cookies

I was daydreaming my way through Walmart a few weeks ago, thinking about cookies and what to make, and i came across this area with all kinds of M&M's - some I had seen before, some were new to me  - what caught my eye were orange and cherry cordial. I thought, oh I could make something really nice with those, so I bought them. The first time I tried this recipe, I went a little overboard with the chocolate chunks and M&M's, so I made a second batch bringing down the amount and they turned out perfect. Here is the recipe. Thanks again to Judith Hannemann, bakeatmidnite.com   for the photo

Ingredients

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp pure vanilla flavoring
• 1/2 tsp orange extract
• 4 ounces semi sweet chocolate chunks
• 3/4 cup orange flavored M&M's 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 1. Heat the semi sweet chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second increments,  stirring between each until almost melted - do not overheat or it will burn. When it is almost all melted take it out and stir till all of it is melted in. In small bowl mix together flour, baking powder and salt. 2.In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed  to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks. 3.  Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets  halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets 10 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Prep Time 20 minutes Total Time 45 minutes Yield Makes 2 dozen

Nutritional Information

Double Chocolate Orange Cookies

Servings Per Recipe: 12

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 339

• Total Fat: 16.9 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 42.5 mg
• Sodium: 150.3 mg
• Total Carbs: 46.2 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2.4 g
• Sugars: 34.1 g
• Protein: 3.7 g