Orange Crispies with Chocolate or Nutella Filling

Here's a great little cookie for any time of the year but especially at Christmas time when the smell of oranges and chocolate brings back wonderful memories of childhood.  

Do you remember opening a chocolate orange and giving it a good bang on the table so it would fall into delicious chocolate orange segments? Chocolate oranges make a great stocking stuffer and his little cookie has all the flavour of that Christmas special.

The cookies are good just plain but they rise to new heights when sandwiched together with melted chocolate or (even better I think) Nutella.  I tried using a chocolate ganach but the cookies soon became soggy so I discarded that idea and stuck with melted chocolate or Nutella.

I found this recipe for the cookies at The Iowa Housewife and decided they would be even better with a filling.

Printable recipe at end of post.

Orange Crispies

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 large egg
• 1½ teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• Chocolate or Nutella filling

How to make it:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper if desired. Do not grease pans.

Beat sugar and butter together at low speed until creamy. Add egg, orange extract and zest, beating until blended. Gradually add flour and salt, beating until light and fluffy.

Drop mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls, two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. I like to flatten them a little with the palm of my hand.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Makes at least 6 dozen single cookies. I got 7½ dozen sticking to the rounded teaspoon.  You may make them larger but adjust for baking time.

To make sandwich cookies: Melt about ½-¾ cup chocolate chips and spread a small a mount on half the cookies.  Lay second cookie on top and lightly press together.  If you prefer, do the same using the Nutella hazelnut spread instead of melted chocolate.  You may also drizzle melted chocolate on top of sandwiched cookies for a festive presentation.  Do not drizzle Nutella as it will not set.

Beat sugar and butter together at low speed until creamy. Add egg, orange extract and zest, beating until blended. Gradually add flour and salt.

Beat until light and fluffy.

Drop mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls, two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 

I like to flatten them a little with the palm of my hand.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn brown.  Do not overbake.

Using a rounded teaspoon measure I was able to get just over 7 dozen cookies.  You may, of course, make larger cookies but adjust the baking time.

These little cookies are delicious just as they are and make a great treat with a cup of tea or glass of milk, but. . . . . . .

 . . . if you want to dress these up for the holidays add a spoonful of melted chocolate or Nutella hazelnut spread.  Drizzle a little chocolate on top and you have a beautiful addition to your cookie plate. Don't drizzle Nutella on top as it won't set.

Pass the plate, please. 

A tasty treat at Christmas or anytime of the year!

To print click on arrow upper right side.⇩