Cinnamon Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Congratulation to my little brother for earning his Eagle Scout award!! I made four dozen of these cinnamon orange chocolate chip cookies for his court of honor and they went fast! Everybody greedily gobbled them up in no time at all. The cookie is like a chocolate orange stuffed into a warm, golden, fluffy chocolate chip dough. There is a perfect balance of zesty and sweet, both warmed by the flavor of cinnamon.

1 C Butter, softened
3/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Packed Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Orange, zested
1 tsp Vanilla
3 1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
3/4 tsp Salt
2 C Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 C Chopped Walnuts (optional)

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, orange peel and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the chips and walnuts. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or until easy to handle.

2. On a parchment-lined or greased cookie sheet, scoop out dough and place 1 1/2-in apart.

3. Bake at 375 for 10-14 minutes or until light golden brown. Let sit on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Mahlzeit!
-Coriaunty