Sugar-Crusted Meltaways Mix in a Jar

Layer the following in a quart-size jar:

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped nuts
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

Sugar-Crusted Meltaways

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

In small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon grated orange peel and 1/4 cup orange juice; set aside.

In large bowl, cream 3/4 cup softened margarine or butter, 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Gradually stir in contents of jar; mix well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm to tough. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely.

Strain orange juice mixture. Dip cookies in orange juice; then roll in granulated sugar. Allow to dry to form sugar shell.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies.