• Cooking Time: 20 min./batch + cooling
• Servings: 72 servings
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• 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
• GLAZE:
• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

1. 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.
3. 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.
5. For glaze, in a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle with almonds. Place on waxed paper until set.

These tender cookies are pretty to look at-and the combination of cream cheese, orange, chocolate and almonds makes them irresistible.