Orange Creamsicle Cookies

This week I spent my Saturday night in baking cookies.  Just needed a mellow night to wind down from a long week.  I'd been wanting to try this recipe for Orange Creamsicle Cookies for a while, and its definitely one I'll be making more often.  They were so yummy!  This was my first time baking completely from scratch, so I'm happy to say it was a success! Next time I want to double the recipe and make the cookies bigger.  Big cookies are just more fun!

Recipe:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons orange zest (zest of 2 oranges)

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

Preheat over to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and creamy.  Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth.  Gradually add flour mixture until combined. Stir in orange zest and chips.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Do not flatten cookies; it will make them dry.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown around edges.  Cookies will be plump.  Cool for several minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to rack to cool completely.  Store in airtight container.

Red Velvet Heaven

Last week, I came across Taste and Tell, a blog that shares fun and delicious recipes.  What caught my eye about this blog was that the writer dedicated a whole week to Red Velvet recipes!  Each day she posted a different Red Velvet themed dessert, which I of course got so excited about, being a big fan of red velvet myself.  But cakes and cupcakes are the only red velvet desserts I’ve ever tried, which is why my mouth dropped to the floor when I noticed these Red Velvet Donuts!  This is a recipe I’m definitely going to have to try.  And they’re baked instead of fried (score!) which means I don’t have to feel too guilty eating them.

Any of these recipes are perfect to try this weekend, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner.  The Red Velvet Crepes would make the perfect breakfast in bed to serve your Valentine, and check out the Red Velvet and Strawberry Trifle too; it looks like it could be the perfect romantic dessert to share with your sweetie after dinner.