As the 2012 Cookie Challenge continues to roll on, the kitchens of Full Moon Cuisine wanted to be sure we were making progress in trying new flavor combinations. You might say, we're a bit obsessed by this compulsion to create. So, to manage any possible disorder, this week we decided to focus on linking delicious combinations. So, we took three main flavors: oranges, cranberries, and dark chocolate, all of which work well in pairs, and made them work as a trio. With just a little bit of time, you can have some truly outstanding cookies that will compel your diners to eat! Here's what you'll need:

- 1.5 sticks of butter (at room temp)
- 2 large eggs (at room temp)
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp orange zest (roughly the zest of 2 oranges)
- 1 cup dark chocolate morsels (or bittersweet chocolate baking chips, recommend: Ghirardelli Bittersweet Baking Chips 60% Cocoa)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Pinch of salt

Note: This recipe will make approximately 3 dozen cookies.

To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder, stirring to combine. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and both types of sugar. Next, add your orange zest, vanilla, then mix in the eggs (one at a time). Once combined, mix in the dry ingredients in thirds just until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Stir in the dark chocolate and cranberries and set to the side.

Grease a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Using a small ice cream scoop (about 1 3/4" in diameter) and portion out the cookies roughly 2" apart on the sheet (you should be able to get 4 rows of 4), and bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes. You may need less time, as you should remove them from the oven when they turn golden. Allow to sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

The sweetness of the oranges, the tartness of the cranberries, and the earthiness of the dark chocolate compliment each other in these crispy-on-the-outside and chewy-on-the-inside cookies. Guaranteed your diners will be asking for seconds (as pairs are perfect with OCD...cookies). To help make sure we have plenty of treats for our diners, the kitchen will be staying open late tonight. Care to place an order?

Want to know what this challenge is all about? Check out my journal and feel free to send in recipes for cookies! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3096204/