My Game Day Cookies

Recently my friend Rachel hosted a game day party at her house for the  Florida vs. LSU football game.We both went to the University of Florida and try to meet up every Saturday to watch the game together.

We usually go to "The Gator Bar"...for the UF fans of Los Angeles, but this week Rachel decided to host the party at her house. I of course wanted to bring something for us to munch on other than beer.

She is the queen of dips and meatballs...(her buffalo chicken dip is ridiculous!) so of course I offered to bring something sweet.

I was thinking of doing something that would incorporate our team colors -(orange and blue); but then I remembered that second grade science fair project of dying cookies to see which one the tester perceives to be more desirable based on the tacky color of the cookie.

Since I didn’t think dyed orange and blue cookies would be visually appetizing, I decided to make something a bit more sophisticated. Perhaps a recipe that incorporates a team color?!…..= Orange cookies!

These are quite delicious, and everybody ate them all up! Chomp Chomp! Gooo Gators!

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons grated orange peel

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange peel. Combine the flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in almonds.

Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 325° for 20-25 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.Yield: 6 dozen.