Sunday, January 3, 2010

Chocolate Chunk Cookies w/orange zest

I had a very nice New Years Eve with my husband, son and a good friend of ours who came to visit. We went and had a chinese dinner than came back and played ping pong, I didn't it was too cold in the gargage, and watched a movie until it was time to count the New Year in.

New Years day we went and saw Avatar in 3-D. What a great, great movie! The aliens looks so real! I would actually like to see it again without the 3-D and on IMAX to see what it's like. They need to change those 3-D glasses so they are more comfortable and have them wrap around more, like sport glasses. Maybe I should write a letter. :)

What are some of your favorite sweet combinations? One of mine is chocolate and orange, but only in a cookie. You see I can't eat oranges or drink orange juice because is plays havoc on my body, seriously. No need to go into details, it's just a real bad thing.
So the way I enjoy a bit of orange is, orange zest and chocolate!
If you are looking for a crunchy cookie, these are it!
Hope you like them.
Chocolate chunk cookies w/Orange Zest
3/4 C. pure maple syrup
1/2 C. canola oil (your choice)
2 T. organic sugar
2 tsp. molasses
2 T. brandy(optional)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
zest from 1 large orange
2 C. spelt flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small chunks
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In a mixing bowl combine maple syrup, sugar, molasses, canola, vanilla, vinegar, orange zest and brandy. Beat with an electric mixer or whisk until throughly combined.
In a seperate bowl combine, flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and just mix until thoroughly combined. Next stir in the chocolate. The dough will be on the softer, sticky side.
Drop Tablespoon size amounts onto cookie sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

9 comments:

  1. Bummer about the oranges in whole/juiced form! But at least you can still enjoy the great combo with chocolate in cookies :)

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  2. Yum! We are still trying to find the perfect chocolate chip (and oatmeal) cookie recipe, and this one looks delicious! We'll have to try it out.

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  3. Can't go wrong with a chocolate chip cookie, and shaking it up with a bit of zest is always a welcome change! They look and sound really good... I especially like how you went with spelt flour to make them slightly more wholesome. :)

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  4. hooray for a great new years eve with a good friend and your family! dan and i haven't been out for asian yummies in a while - think i'm gonna have to see if he wants to grab some later this week. there's an all vegan chinese place just a little ways downtown from where we live and it's been forever since we've been. mmmmmm!

    your chocolate chunk cookies with orange zest look most fantastical, JoLynn! that's no fun that the combination is no good on your stomach when the two aren't in cookie form - but that's pretty sweet that you're okay with the cookies. yum! i've never had the combination of orange and chocolate - now i've gotta! i think my favorite combination is probably maple and walnuts. i have been known to eat bowls of walnuts drizzled in maple syrup! not exactly the best for me, but so super delicious!

    we saw Avatar in 3D on saturday as well. i thought it was pretty good, and i too would like to see it on the regular screen. i just don't know if my butt can handle another almost 3 hour movie. ah ha ha!

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  5. Regarding the orange issue that I have, I get cramps right away like Mihl's boyfriend and his brother. I also break out in a sweat and flu like symptoms. Really weird.

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  6. Orange zest and chocolate sounds very interesting. I don't think I've ever had that combo before. The cookies look great!

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  7. damn, that sounds good. i've never added booze to a cookie, and i'm not sure why the hell not.

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  8. Mmmm! It's not too often I've come across recipes for orange and chocolate cookies. This one's definitely going in my to-make file!

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  9. I must mention that there is a soft chocolate chip cookie recipe that I add these flavors to which I actually prefer better.

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