Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice or 3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 8 ounces white chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or 1 teaspoon shortening

Method

  • Combine orange juice (or liquor) and raisins in a small bowl and let stand overnight (or--if you are like me and want to make them right now--cover and microwave for 1 minute, cool covered).
  • Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy.
  • Beat in egg and orange peel.
  • Combine flour and baking soda in another large bowl and stir into butter mixture.
  • Add raisins, any soaking liquid, and oats and mix well.
  • Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart and flattening slightly.
  • Bake at 350°F 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Transfer to racks and cool completely.
  • Microwave chocolate and oil 3 to 4 minutes on low power in a small deep bowl, stirring once.
  • Let stand 2 minutes, stir until smooth.
  • Dip one-third of cookie in chocolate and set on waxed paper.
  • Chill until chocolate is firm.
  • STRIP VERSION:
  • Divide dough into 4 equal portions.
  • Place 2 portions, at least 6 inches apart, on baking sheet.
  • Pat each portion into a 12-inch-long log with well-floured hands (dough will be sticky) and flatten each log to 1 1/2 inches wide.
  • Bake until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
  • Cool on baking sheets 2 minutes.
  • Cut logs diagonally into 1-inch-wide strips.
  • Follow directions for dipping cookies.