Irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in chocolate: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chunks for rich, melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookies.
- Scoop the dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
- 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.
- 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
