Orange Chocolate Meltaways

These creamy, truffle-like goodies are great on your holiday cookie plates.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Yields: 6 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 (11 1/2ounce) package  milk chocolate chips
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3⁄4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1  teaspoon  grated  orange rind
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons  orange extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups  chopped toasted pecans

• Coating

• 1  cup  milk chocolate chips
• 2  teaspoons shortening

Directions

1. Place milk and semi sweet chocolate chips in mixing bowl; set aside.
2. In saucepan, bring cream and orange peel to gentle boil.
3. Immediately pour over chips.
4. Whisk until smooth.
5. Stir in extract.
6. Cover and chill about 35 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
7. Beat for 10-15 seconds, or until mixture lightens in color (do not over beat). Spoon by rounded teaspoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheets.
8. Cover and chill 5 minutes.
9. Shape into balls.
10. Roll half of the balls in chopped pecans.
11. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
12. Dip remaining balls.
13. Place on wax paper to harden.
14. Store in refrigerator.