Irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These irresistible orange dark chocolate cookies offer a perfect balance of bright citrus and rich chocolate flavors. Soft and chewy with a hint of sea salt on top, they make a delightful treat for any occasion. Easy to bake and guaranteed to impress!

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (about 1 large orange)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks (or chips)
• Optional: extra orange zest and flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Step 6: Fold in the dark chocolate chunks evenly throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
8. Step 8: Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Step 10: If desired, garnish the warm cookies with extra orange zest and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger orange flavor, add 1 teaspoon of orange extract along with the zest.
• Swap the dark chocolate chunks for white chocolate or semi-sweet chips for a different twist.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance texture.
• Use fresh, unwaxed oranges to ensure the best flavor and clean zest.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft longer, add a slice of bread to the container. Reheat briefly in the microwave if you prefer warm cookies.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use orange juice instead of zest?

Orange juice provides flavor but lacks the concentrated oils found in zest, so the cookies won’t have the same bright citrus aroma. It’s best to use zest for optimal flavor.

What type of chocolate works best?

Dark chocolate chunks offer a rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet and zesty dough, but semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips also work well depending on your taste preferences.

Irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 82 reviews

These Irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies combine the zesty freshness of orange with rich dark chocolate chunks in a soft, chewy cookie. Perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla and a touch of sea salt, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (about 1 large orange)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks (or chips)

Optional Garnish

• Extra orange zest
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
3. Add egg, vanilla, and orange zest: Beat in the large egg, pure vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest until fully combined to infuse the dough with moisture and aromatic citrus flavor.
4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
6. Fold in chocolate: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chunks for rich, melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookies.
7. Scoop the dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color, indicating they are perfectly baked with a chewy center.
9. Cool and garnish: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Optionally, while warm, garnish with extra orange zest and flaky sea salt for a burst of flavor and texture. Enjoy your delicious cookies!

Notes

• For best results, use freshly grated orange zest to maximize citrus flavor.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet to firm up before moving to a rack to prevent breaking.
• Dark chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content works well for balance in sweetness.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• You can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 1 month and bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.

Keywords: orange dark chocolate cookies, citrus chocolate cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, chocolate chunk cookies, orange zest cookies