Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, orange zest and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter on high speed for a minute or so. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, orange essence and orange juice. Beat until mixture is combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 7 or 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and while still warm, slightly flatten each cookie gently with the back of a spatula. This is something I only started doing a few years back, and the result is a much more dense and chewy cookie.

Let cool a few minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack. Once cooled completely can be stored in an airtight container for about 4 days.