Name: Orange Pecan Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt; 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange – only the bright orange parts!); 1 ½ cups light brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 4 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup butter, softened; 2 eggs; ¾ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped; ½ cup candied orange peel, finely chopped (Bonus points for homemade!); 2 cups milk chocolate chips (I used Guittard…because their milk cc are ahmazing)

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Description

Soft, chewy cinnamon milk chocolate chip cookies with toasted pecans and candied orange peel. These cookies will have you reaching for another before you realize what you’re doing!

Ingredients

Scale

4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange – only the bright orange parts!)
1 ½ cups light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
¾ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
½ cup candied orange peel, finely chopped (Bonus points for homemade!)
2 cups milk chocolate chips (I used Guittard…because their milk cc are ahmazing)

Instructions

I add my orange zest directly to the granulated sugar and toss it around to break up the clumps. This helps distribute the zest throughout the batter and the sugar also helps draw out some of the orange flavor. I do this first because the longer the zest sits in the sugar, the better the flavor!
Whisk together in a medium bowl the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream butter, cream cheese, sugars, and zest together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture; mix until just incorporated.
Add the chocolate chips, pecans and candied orange; mix briefly on low to distribute.
You can bake the cookies right away or refrigerate the dough overnight. Your cookies will be thicker and will spread less if you chill it, but it isn’t totally necessary. I do, however, think the flavors are enhanced after a little refrigeration. When you are ready to bake, proceed to the next step.
Pre-heat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silpat.
Scoop the dough using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or roll into balls and place 2” apart on the cookie sheet.
Bake 012 minutes. The sides should just be starting to brown. You don’t want them to be brown. Just have a nice kiss of color. Let them cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

10 Comments

Shashi at RunninSrilankan
December 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm

Lindsey, you made the simple chocolate chip cookie exquisite! Loving the addition of candied orange peel and pecans! This was my first year in the Food Blogger Cookie Swap and you are right – nothing’s better than getting cookies in the mail!

Lindsey
December 30, 2015 at 11:29 am

Hahah isn’t it the best!??!

Liz
December 16, 2015 at 8:45 pm

Lindsey, your sweet comment made my day! I was thrilled to get your name fo this fun event. And it looks like you had some lucky recipients with these magnificent chocolate chip cookies!!! xo
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen
December 19, 2015 at 1:06 am

I haven’t had the chance to come over lately, but just got to drool over all these Christmas cookies you have been baking! These orange pecan choc chippers are my favorite, though! Wish I had some to munch on right now!!

Lindsey
December 30, 2015 at 11:28 am

Me too, Krist!

Sophie
December 19, 2015 at 4:41 am

These cookies look like your best ever cookies yet! Ooh yes!

I love everything that you stuffed into them! I must make them today! MMMMM! These would be lovely with a good café latte! xxx

Lindsey
December 30, 2015 at 11:27 am

Thank you, Sophie!!!

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December 19, 2015 at 10:55 am

[…] Orange Pecan Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies from Lindsey at American Heritage Cooking […]
Kaitlin
December 20, 2015 at 9:02 pm

Lindsey, I absolutely loved these cookies! Thanks so much for the wonderful note as well, I can’t wait to make my own batch of these!

Lindsey
December 20, 2015 at 10:03 pm

Hi Kaitlin! I am so glad you loved them and that I got you in the lottery! I really did start reading your blog back in 2010 when I first discovered the world of food blogs! And from that moment on, I was hooked!

Orange Pecan Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies