I've been going a little nuts with the baking lately... I'm coming up with and testing recipes for the February TNNA show, where I will of course be passing out cookies as usual.  I've been baking all kinds of shortbread cookies... so many!!!  This recipe was so unusual and delicious I just had to share!

<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/2012/11/double-chocolate-orange-shortbead-cookies/dco1/" rel="attachment wp-att-2473"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-2473" title="DCO1" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DCO1-334x500.jpg" alt="" width="206" height="308" /></a> Here is what you need:

2/3 cup flour

1/4 cup coco powder

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 tbsp ground espresso (I prefer a French roast)

1 stick of softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

zest of 1/2 a medium organic orange

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Combine the flour, coco powder, sugar, and espresso powder into a bowl and mix well.  I like to use a whisk for this task.

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Add the butter and vanilla extract and mix in well.  You can use an egg beater for this (on the very slow setting), but I just do it all by hand with a silicone spatula.  Mixing the batter burns a few of the calories that I intend to eat after the cookies are ready.  Then mix in the orange zest and chocolate chips.

<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/2012/11/double-chocolate-orange-shortbead-cookies/dco3/" rel="attachment wp-att-2475"><img class="wp-image-2475 alignnone" title="DCO3" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DCO3-500x334.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" /></a>

Form the dough into a log about 1.5" in diameter and roll into parchment paper and refrigerate for about 1 hour.  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, line the baking sheet with parchment paper and cut the log into 1/2" cookies.  Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes.  The cookies will still be a little soft when they come out of the oven but they will harden a bit when they cool down.  Yield about 20-24 cookies.

These particular cookies tastes good with a nice strong cup of coffee and some half &amp; half, mmmm!!! Milk works fine too :)

<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/2012/11/double-chocolate-orange-shortbead-cookies/dco5/" rel="attachment wp-att-2477"><img class="wp-image-2477 alignnone" title="DCO5" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DCO5-500x334.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" /></a>