If you adore the harmonious blend of citrus brightness and rich indulgence, then you are in for an absolute treat with this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. These cookies perfectly balance the zesty brightness of orange zest with the deep, luscious flavor of dark chocolate chunks, creating a cookie that’s both sophisticated and comforting. Each bite is a celebration of textures—the soft, chewy cookie, the slight crunch from the sea salt sprinkle, and those melty pockets of dark chocolate that make your taste buds dance. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing guests at a gathering, these cookies bring a delightful twist on a classic favorite that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe keeps things straightforward with pantry staples and a few special touches. Each ingredient plays a vital role: the all-purpose flour gives the perfect structure, the softened butter lends richness and tenderness, and the orange zest brightens the flavor wonderfully. You’ll find that even a simple mix like cornstarch helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the dark chocolate chunks add those irresistible bursts of deep cocoa flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 2/3 cups): The essential base that gives your cookies structure and heartiness.
- Baking soda (1 1/4 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- Cornstarch (1 tsp): A secret ingredient for softness that makes these cookies so delightful.
- Kosher sea salt (1 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Adds luscious richness and keeps your cookies tender.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Brings sweetness and helps with that perfect cookie spread.
- Brown sugar (1 1/4 cup, packed): Gives moisture and a subtle caramel note.
- Orange zest (1 tbsp): Injects a fresh, citrusy sparkle that distinguishes these cookies.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Rounds out flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Eggs (2): Bind everything together and add tenderness.
- Dark chocolate bar (6 oz, chopped): Creates luxurious pockets of bittersweet chocolate in every bite.
- Sea salt (for garnish): A sprinkle on top intensifies all the flavors and adds a delicate crunch.
How to Make Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and are easy to remove once baked. This simple prep step makes clean-up a breeze and helps the cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher sea salt. Mixing these dry components well ensures that your cookies have a consistent texture and that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which gives that perfect rise and softness you’re aiming for.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for a tender crumb and helps your cookies spread beautifully during baking. Then, stir in the aromatic orange zest and vanilla extract for fragrant, bright undertones.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Mix Well
Next, add your eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Eggs provide structure and moisture, helping your cookies hold together while remaining soft and chewy.
Step 5: Fold Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chunks
Gradually add the dry flour mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Gently fold in those chopped dark chocolate pieces, making sure every bite contains a generous amount of rich, bittersweet chocolate that will melt into delightful pockets as they bake.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
For best results, chill your dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This step solidifies the fats, preventing your cookies from spreading too much and intensifies the flavors, especially the orange zest and dark chocolate marrying beautifully throughout the dough.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Form the chilled dough into balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft. A quick sprinkle of sea salt on top right out of the oven adds an exciting flavor contrast. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets before transferring them to wire racks so they set perfectly.
How to Serve Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, consider a light dusting of finely grated orange zest over the warm cookies just before serving. This will boost the citrus aroma and make them look even more inviting. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top enhances the chocolate’s depth and adds a sophisticated edge to each bite.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or rich, freshly brewed coffee. The interplay of the citrus and chocolate flavors complements many beverages, making snack time feel like a mini celebration. For a decadent treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla or citrus-flavored ice cream for a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
Creative Ways to Present
To make your presentation stand out, stack the cookies on a pretty plate with small bowls of dark chocolate chunks and fresh orange slices around them. You could even drizzle a bit of melted orange-infused dark chocolate over the top for a shiny, decadent finish that’s sure to wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps them chewy and fresh without drying out. To help maintain softness, add a slice of bread to the container, which will absorb excess moisture and keep the cookies perfectly tender.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, you can freeze the dough balls before baking or the fully baked cookies. Wrap dough balls individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. For baked cookies, freeze them in a single layer then transfer to a sealed container.
Reheating
When you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, simply pop stored cookies into a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 15-20 seconds. Be cautious not to overdo it, as that can dry out the cookies. Enjoy them soft, warm, and bursting with rich orange and dark chocolate flavor.
FAQs
Can I substitute orange zest with orange extract?
While orange zest gives a fresh, vibrant citrus note from the oils in the peel, orange extract is much more concentrated and can sometimes taste artificial if used in large amounts. If you must substitute, use just a small amount of extract and reduce other liquids to keep the balance right.
What type of dark chocolate is best for this recipe?
A good quality dark chocolate bar with at least 60-70% cacao content works best here. It balances sweetness and bitterness, melting smoothly into those delightful chunks without overpowering the cookie’s bright orange flavor.
Why is chilling the dough important in this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe?
Chilling the dough solidifies fats and allows the flavors—especially the orange and vanilla—to meld and deepen. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, giving you that perfectly chewy center and crisp edge.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Using salted butter will add extra saltiness, so it’s better to stick with unsalted to control the salt level yourself. The recipe already includes kosher sea salt for seasoning; using unsalted butter ensures you won’t oversalt your cookies.
How do I make these cookies dairy-free?
You can swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based butter alternative that performs well in baking. Just ensure it is softened like regular butter. The dark chocolate chunks should also be checked for dairy content—many brands offer dairy-free or vegan dark chocolate options suitable for this recipe.
Final Thoughts
Embracing the magic of bright orange zest and deep dark chocolate in a cookie is truly a joy, and this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe captures that balance perfectly. Whether it’s a weekday treat or a special occasion indulgence, these cookies bring not only incredible flavor but also warmth and comfort baked into every bite. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to share a batch of delight with those you love — I promise, once you try this recipe, it will become a treasured favorite in your cookie rotation!
Print
Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies combine rich dark chocolate with zesty orange for a delightful twist on classic cookies. Crisp around the edges yet soft and chewy inside, these treats are perfect for any occasion and easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Add-ins and Garnish
- 6 oz dark chocolate bar (chopped)
- Sea salt (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher sea salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add the orange zest and vanilla extract, then mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until fully combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender. Gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate pieces.
- Chill Dough: Cover and refrigerate the cookie dough for at least two hours. Chilling helps develop the flavors and prevents spreading while baking.
- Form Cookies and Bake: After chilling, scoop dough into balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Optionally, sprinkle sea salt on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the delightful balance of orange and dark chocolate in every bite.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough for at least two hours or overnight to improve texture and flavor.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for richer taste and better melting.
- Adjust baking time slightly if you prefer softer or crunchier cookies.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container helps maintain freshness for up to a week.
- Optional: sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate and orange flavors.
