Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Who's ready for Spring?  I know I am.  Winter is still sticking around here, but when I was munching on these beauties, I felt like Spring was just around the corner. What a perfect treat to beat the winter blues!  These cookies are packed with orange zest and white chocolate chips, making them quite similar in taste to a creamsicle.  In my opinion, orange and vanilla are a match made in Heaven!  Also, I think that these cookies (and pretty much all cookies) are best warm out of the oven, but they were still delicious the next day.  After that, well I really can't say, because none of ours lasted that long.










Orange Creamsicle Cookies
modified from Baked Perfection

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 TBSP orange zest, from about 3 oranges
3 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 cups white chocolate chips ( I used Ghiradelli )

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Zest the oranges and set aside.  In a small bowl sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together.  Set aside.

Cream butter and sugars together in a large bowl.  Add vanilla, eggs, and orange zest. Combine the two mixtures and stir until evenly mixed.  Add in the white chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.  Roll into balls and place a warm baking stone or un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.  Remove cookies and let cool for 5-10 minutes before eating.