White Chocolate Cherry and Orange Cookies

These cookies managed to get me a place as a top 5 finalist in the Mrs. Fields 30th Anniversary Cookie Contest.

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
Zest and juice of one medium orange
4 oz white chocolate, melted
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
4 oz white chocolate, chopped
14 oz jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy then add eggs one at a time until well blended. Cream in the melted white chocolate, orange zest, and orange juice until mixed well.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt, and gradually stir into the mixture. Add the chopped white chocolate and cherries.

Put the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up.

Drop by spoonfuls onto well-greased baking sheets and put each sheet in the freezer for approximately 10 minutes before baking at 375 degrees F for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool on sheets for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks.