CRESCENT CHIP COOKIES

CRESCENT CHIP COOKIES RECIPE

Featured In: 60 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
MAKES: 120 servings
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 cups miniature chocolate chips

Glaze:
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup shortening
1-1/4 cups ground walnuts

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide dough into 10 portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 hours or until easy to roll.

Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 24-in. rope; cut into 2-in. lengths. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; curve to form crescents. Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway into chocolate mixture; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle with walnuts. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator.

Freeze option: Freeze cookies, layered between waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving. Yield: 10 dozen.

Originally published as Crescent Chip Cookies in Taste of Home Christmas Annual Annual 2016, p155