Orange Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love the combination of any fruit flavor with chocolate. These are super, unique cookies and they are pretty easy to make. Only makes 3 dozen, so you may want to double the recipe :)

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 3  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon  grated  orange rind
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl and beat at low speed until smooth and creamy.
3. Add vanilla and orange rind and beat well.
4. Combine flour and salt and add to cream mixture; beating well.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls on to cookies sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges just begin to brown.
7. Cool on wire racks.