I think cookies are the perfect complement to Christmas. They are more than just an immense hit of sugar. They are just a few bites of sweetness balanced with an endless variety of other flavors. They are a welcoming treat for visiting friends and family during the holidays. They are a wonderful dessert after a holiday feast. Cookies also symbolize the tradition of giving at Christmas.

Orange Almond Cookies

Orange Almond Cookies (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Makes: 6 dozen cookies, Total Time Required: 1 hour, Prep Time: 40 minutes, Bake Time: 20 minutes/batch

Ingredients:

Cookies:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• zest of 1 large orange
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Glaze:

• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
  

  Finely chop the almonds either by hand or in a food processor.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and salt until blended.

Beat in the orange peel and vanilla.

Gradually beat in the flour. Stir in 1 cup of the almonds.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten the balls with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.

Bake the cookies until they are firm, about 20-25 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the pan, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

For the glaze: in a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring until they are smooth. Dip each cookie halfway in the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Sprinkle some chopped almonds over the chocolate as they are dipped.

Place the dipped cookies on waxed paper and let them stand until the chocolate is set before serving. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Christmas is less than 2 weeks away!  ~Linda

Orange Almond Cookies (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Makes: 6 dozen cookies, Total Time Required: 1 hour, Prep Time: 40 minutes Bake Time: 20 minutes/batch

Ingredients:

Cookies:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• zest of 1 large orange
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Glaze:

• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and salt until blended. Beat in the orange peel and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour. Stir in 1 cup of the almonds.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten the balls with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.

Bake the cookies until they are firm, about 20-25 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the pan, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

For the glaze: in a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring until they are smooth. Dip each cookie halfway in the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Sprinkle some chopped almonds over the chocolate as they are dipped. Place the dipped cookies on waxed paper and let them stand until the chocolate is set before serving. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.