Irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies Recipe
These irresistible Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies combine the zesty brightness of fresh orange zest with rich dark chocolate chunks for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, these cookies are an easy and delightful treat to bake and share.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Wet 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)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks (or chips)
- Optional: extra orange zest and flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Orange Zest: Beat in the egg, pure vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest to the creamed butter and sugars. Mix well to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chunks: Gently fold the dark chocolate chunks into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Scoop Dough Onto Baking Sheets: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Garnish and Serve: While cookies are still warm, sprinkle with extra orange zest and flaky sea salt for an enhanced flavor. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies!
Notes
- Use fresh orange zest for the most vibrant and aromatic flavor.
- Do not overbake to maintain soft centers in the cookies.
- For a richer chocolate taste, choose dark chocolate with at least 60% cacao content.
- The cookie dough can be chilled for up to 48 hours before baking to develop deeper flavors.
Keywords: orange dark chocolate cookies, chocolate chunk cookies, orange zest cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, soft chocolate cookies, baking
