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Orange Short bread cookies rolled into logs, dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate, and rolled in finely chopped pecans. These Chocolate Dipped Orange Logs are a spectacular cookie for your Holiday baking trays!

Ever feel like the Universe is conspiring against you? Ugh! I’ve had the hardest time joining the Holiday Blogging Cookie Parade going on! I was about ready to go down to the store, buy a package of red velvet Oreo’s, a can of vanilla frosting, and some Christmas sprinkles and call it good! (The Grinch in me was constricting my little ol’ holiday heart!)

However…the stars finally aligned, and…TA-DA!! I proudly present… Chocolate-Dipped Orange Logs! Enjoy! I’m going back to bed…see ya!

No, no, no! I’m just kidding!

When I made my list of Christmas Cookies I wanted to share with y’all these were at the top of the list. I had forgotten how much I L.O.V.E. these cookies!

They are like the yummy Chocolate Oranges you buy at Christmas and “WHACK” on the table to get the slices to separate! (Face it ladies…by Christmas Eve it feels pretty darn good to slam something down and break it, legitimately, and not look like you are loosing it…cause…ummmm… ya are!)

This buttery shortbread log cookie is full of amazing orange flavor! Then you go and dip it in semi-sweet chocolate and chopped pecans!

In a word… Mmmmm!!! Throw in a crackling fire, the Christmas tree, and a cup of your favorite hot beverage…Ahhhhh…pure heaven!

These beauties are a lot easier to make than you would think! I learned a little secret that I’m going to share with you that will make it even better than the original recipe! Let’s do this…let’s get to baking!

How To Make Chocolate Dipped Orange Logs

First the dough…simple! You are going to beat your butter until smooth. Then add in the sugar and beat till fluffy and light. Then your eggs, 1 at a time, then your orange peel and vanilla. Then the flour and salt.

 TIP: Instead of orange peel, use tangerine or “cutie” peel! I recently discovered that “cutie” zest has a richer, deeper, and stronger orange flavor than regular orange zest! Now it’s a little tricky because the skin on a cutie isn’t as tough or thick as on an orange…but one little cutie is going to give you all the orange zest you’ll need, and it will seriously knock your socks off flavor wise!

Gather your dough into a ball. (I didn’t say it had to be a “pretty” ball! Just a ball!)

Then flatten it into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours until firm.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

TIP: The recipe tells you to shape the dough into 1-inch balls. I found it much easier to cut my dough into strips, then ball sized portions, and then roll them into balls, then 3 inch logs about 1/2 inch thick.

It’s kind of fun! Like playing with play-dough! (This is where I popped into a Christmas movie and rolled my little heart out!) 

I just rolled the balls in my hands to form logs and pushed the ends down on my cookie sheet, but you can roll them on a flat surface with your fingertips to form 2 – 3 inch long logs. (Mine were 2 inches…the recipe calls for 3 inch, but who wants that many cookies without chocolate? Gasp!)

Place the logs on parchment lined or silicone mat lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Because we don’t use any “leveling” product in these cookies, they will not spread and rise like a regular cookie. These cookies are a shortbread cookie and so no baking soda or baking powder is needed.

Bake 16–18 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown. I found 12 minutes was perfect, so check them at 12 minutes! The cookies will feel soft and look white on top.

They become crisp when they cool. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Place your chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Place the bowl in your microwave for 3 minutes at 50% power.

Check to see if the chocolate has started to melt. If it has, stir until all the chocolate is melted. If need be, return the microwave, and repeat for another minute.

Place your chopped pecans on a plate or wax paper. (I started in a bowl and quickly changed to a plate!)

Dip the end of each log into the melted semi-sweet chocolate. Be sure to gently shake off any excess chocolate.

Then roll the chocolate-covered ends in the chopped pecans! Then insert a … YUM!!! Oops! Did some get on your fingers…shoot! Gotta lick that off! 😉

Place on waxed paper or back onto your clean silicone mats! Let’s talk about Silicone baking mats for a second!

I may be in love with my silicone mats! Like seriously in LOVE with them! One of the BEST baking investments I’ve EVER made! If you’re looking for a great Christmas gift to buy yourself, look no further!

(This is that affiliate link, but this is a product I LOVE!)

Okay, back to our regular scheduled program! Sorry for the commercial break there…I just want you to have the best products that make baking and cooking easier!

Let the dipped cookies stand until the chocolate is set. I let mine set out overnight, and it worked out perfectly! You can also refrigerate them for about 5 minutes to let the chocolate set if you are in a hurry.

Before you store them in an airtight container, be sure to sneak a few! I know last night “Mars” asked if he could test one! I said “Sure!”

A few minutes later he said he had better taste test another one…then another…and another! He finally said “Okay… I had 8 just to be sure! Yep, they’re good!” (Me…smile, head shake, and eye roll! Then a lot of laughing! I love that man of mine!) 

Who can blame him? What’s not to love about a buttery orange shortbread cookie dipped in rich dark semi-sweet chocolate and rolled in chopped pecans!!! Oh, these are delightful and a MUST-HAVE on your Holiday Cookie baking list!

Hopefully, this is the beginning of my cookie parade for you! I have so many I want to make and only 14 more days to get them all done! If things go well…there will be more.

However, if you see those red velvet Oreo’s slathered in vanilla icing with sprinkles on top, you’ll know things here at the Holiday Nest aren’t going so well! 😉 lol! Happy Baking!

Other Favorite Holiday Cookie & Candy Recipes

• Apricot Almond Bars
• Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
• Christmas Sandwich Crèmes
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
• Crock Pot Peanut Clusters
• Gingersnap Molasses Cookies

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll be back soon!

Recipe Adapted from “Favorite Brand Name” Gifts from the Christmas Kitchen

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