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This hearty orange dark chocolate chunk cookie recipe has been my family's favorite treat for years. The combination of zesty orange and rich dark chocolate creates an irresistible flavor profile that elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie to something truly special.
I first created these cookies when looking for something unique to bring to a holiday cookie exchange. They were such a hit that they've become my signature dessert for gatherings year-round.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour provides the perfect structure for these cookies while keeping them tender
- Baking soda helps the cookies rise properly and develop that classic texture
- Cornstarch is my secret ingredient for extra softness in the center of each cookie
- Kosher sea salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness
- Unsalted butter creates a rich base and allows you to control the salt level
- Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps with browning
- Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that pairs beautifully with the orange
- Orange zest delivers bright citrus flavor throughout the dough
- Vanilla extract complements both the chocolate and orange flavors
- Eggs bind everything together and provide structure
- Orange Dark Chocolate bar pieces create delicious melty pockets throughout each cookie
- Sea salt for garnish brings out the complexity of the chocolate and adds a professional touch
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Butter
- Cook butter in a microwave safe bowl for 30 to 45 seconds until mostly melted with a few soft pieces remaining. This partial melting creates the perfect texture for creaming with sugar.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. This even distribution ensures consistent texture throughout your cookies.
- Create the Cookie Base
- Beat butter and sugars for a full minute using medium speed in your stand mixer. The friction creates tiny air pockets that help with texture. Add orange zest and vanilla, continuing to beat for another full minute to release the essential oils from the zest. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to properly emulsify them into the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry
- Turn mixer to low speed and gradually add your dry ingredients to prevent flour from flying everywhere. Mix until just combined to avoid overdeveloping the gluten which would make tough cookies. Gently fold in chopped chocolate by hand using a spatula to maintain chocolate chunks rather than breaking them down further.
- Chill the Dough
- Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. This resting period allows flavors to meld and the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in better texture and flavor.
- Bake to Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare baking sheets with parchment or baking mats. Scoop uniform dough balls using a standard cookie scoop, spacing them at least two inches apart to allow for spreading. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired for an enhanced flavor profile. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through for even browning. Look for golden edges as your signal they're done. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 3 to 4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to complete cooling.
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The orange zest is truly the star ingredient here. I recommend using organic oranges when possible and zesting them just before adding to your dough to capture the most vibrant flavor. My family jokes that they can smell these cookies baking from the driveway, and that citrusy aroma always brings everyone to the kitchen.
The Magic of Chilling
The two hour chilling period might seem tempting to skip, but please trust me on this one. I once tried baking these immediately after mixing and ended up with flat, overly spread cookies that lacked the perfect texture. Chilling allows the butter to solidify again, controlling spread during baking. It also gives time for the flour to fully hydrate and for the orange flavor to permeate throughout the dough. If you can manage overnight chilling, the flavor development is even more pronounced.
Chocolate Selection Matters
While any dark chocolate will work in this recipe, choosing one with orange notes elevates these cookies to another level. Look for high quality chocolate bars rather than chips, as they melt differently and create beautiful puddles of chocolate throughout the cookie. During holiday season, specialty chocolate bars infused with cranberry and orange create a festive variation. Chop your chocolate by hand rather than using pre chopped pieces. The irregular chunks and small shavings distribute through the dough differently, creating varied chocolate experiences in each bite.
Creative Variations
These cookies provide a wonderful base for experimentation. Try adding chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds for textural contrast and complementary flavors. White chocolate can replace some or all of the dark chocolate for a sweeter, creamier version. For a holiday spin, add a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom to the dry ingredients for warm, spiced notes. The dough can even be rolled in turbinado sugar before baking for an extra crunchy exterior that sparkles beautifully.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use orange extract instead of zest?
Yes, you can substitute orange extract for the zest, though the flavor profile will be slightly different. Use 1-2 teaspoons of orange extract in place of the tablespoon of zest. Fresh zest provides more complex flavor notes and visible orange flecks throughout the cookies.
- → Is chilling the dough really necessary?
Yes, chilling the dough for at least 2 hours is crucial. This step allows the flavors to meld, prevents excessive spreading during baking, and creates a better texture. For best results, you can even chill overnight to intensify the orange flavor.
- → What type of dark chocolate works best?
Premium dark chocolate bars (like Lindt, Theo, or Chocolove) chopped into chunks work best rather than standard chocolate chips. Orange-infused dark chocolate bars are especially complementary. Aim for chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content for the ideal balance of sweetness and richness.
- → Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can place the frozen dough balls directly on baking sheets and add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- → Why add sea salt on top of the cookies?
The sprinkle of sea salt is optional but highly recommended as it enhances both the orange and chocolate flavors through contrast. The salt acts as a flavor amplifier, bringing out the sweetness of the dough, the tang of the orange, and the richness of the dark chocolate.
- → How can I make these cookies softer or crispier?
For softer cookies, slightly underbake them by removing from the oven at around 10 minutes. For crispier cookies, flatten the dough balls slightly before baking and extend the baking time by 1-2 minutes. The brown sugar ratio also affects texture - more brown sugar creates softer cookies.