Orange cookies
I love baking cookies because they are quick and delicious. These combine orange and chocolate dough in each cookie, giving two flavors in one bite. They are soft when fresh and become crisp if left uncovered.
Melt the chocolate gently in a bowl over a small pan of hot water on low heat, without letting the water boil. While it melts, prepare the dough; there is no need to stir constantly.
Remove a thin layer of zest from the orange. One large orange yields about a tablespoon of zest.
Mix softened margarine with sugar. Add eggs. Stir until smooth.
Sift the flour into a separate bowl. Add salt and baking powder. Mix. Combine flour and butter mixtures. Knead into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Add zest to one. In the other - melted chocolate.
Mix quickly.
Take one teaspoon of each dough
and form a small, slightly flattened ball.
I immediately divided all the dough into portions into cookies. This way it’s faster to mold, and you know exactly how many cookies you’ll get.
Place the formed cookies on a baking sheet. I did not grease it. There is enough fat in the dough for the cookies to release well.
Bake in a preheated oven. The cookies should set and just barely start to brown. When you see the first signs of browning on the light dough, remove it immediately. Temperature 180°C. Time 8-10 minutes.
The cookies are soft and tender, with a wonderful orange aroma and chocolate flavor. Store covered to keep them soft, or leave uncovered for a crisper texture.