Chocolate Orange Quickies

These cookies are for emergencies. If you are like me (and I hope for your sanity’s sake that you are not) then you like to bring something to eat everywhere you go. When I am going somewhere at the last minute and I don’t want to show up empty handed, I make these chocolate quickie cookies and I try to make them as “homemade” as I can by adding whatever flavorings I have on hand. I used orange here, but I bet lime, almond extract, nuts, Baileys, Khalua, insert-booze-of-your-choice-here would work great too. I don’t really make cakes from a cake mix, but when we were little, my mom cut out a magazine recipe called “Let them Make Cookies!” that showed you how to make cookies from a cake box mix. They are a personal weakness because they take about 45 seconds to make and they are so soft and chewy. It isn’t natural…obviously because it comes in a box. I give you these little gems for any dessert emergencies in your kitchen.
Chocolate Orange Quickies
1/2 box chocolate cake mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 orange
1/2 cup confectioner sugar

This makes a dozen cookies. If you want to make 2 dozen, just add another 1/4 cup of oil and egg. Otherwise, the other half of the mix will be just fine in your pantry, waiting for your ext emergency.

1. Mix cake mix, oil, and egg together in a medium size bowl.
2. Add zest and juice from half the orange.
3. Scoop about 1 Tablespoon scoops onto a lined baking tray and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until cooked.
4. Cool cookies on a wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.
5. Make frosting by whisking together confectioner sugar with zest and juice from the other half or the orange. You may need to tweak the sugar/orange juice ratio depending on the juiciness/size of your orange.
6. Pour the glaze into a small plastic baggie and snip off one corner to use like a pastry bag.
7. Squeeze out ribbons of glaze onto the cooled cookies into any pattern that you like.
8. Enjoy your little secret about how easy this little babies were.