Chocolate-Dipped Orange Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 teaspoon orange extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (6 oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, melted
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts of choice (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (optional)

Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Stir in orange rind and extract. Gradually add flour, beating well. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Divide dough in half. Cover and chill 1 portion. Divide remaining portion into 24 pieces; shape each piece into a 2 1/2 x 1/2 inch log on a lightly floured surface. Repeat procedure with reserved portion. Place cookies on baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Dip tips of cookies in melted chocolate, and if desired, dip in chopped nuts or coconut. Place on wire racks; let stand until firm.

Southern Living Special Edition 2004

Blue Cheese Bacon Dip

7 bacon slices, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (8 oz) Cream Cheese
1/3 cup half and half
4 oz crumbled blue cheese
2 TBS chopped fresh chives

Grape clusters
Flatbread and whole grain assorted crackers
Celery

Cook shopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain bacon, and set aside. Add minced garlic to skillet, and saute 1 minute.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add half and half, beating until combined. Stir in bacon, garlic , blue cheese, and chives. (To simplify mixing instructions, I creamed the cream cheese in the food processor, then added the other ingredients and pulsed until at desired consistency.) Spoon mixture evenly into 4 (1 cup) individual baking dishes.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with grape clusters, celery and flatbread or assorted crackers. Thanksgiving Day I served it hot. At the AU/AL game night, I served it cold. Either way....it is a hit!


Altered very slightly from Southern Living Holiday Special Edition 2004 Magazine