If you are craving a cookie that perfectly balances bright citrus tang with the deep, indulgent richness of chocolate, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. These cookies boast tender, chewy centers studded with generous chunks of dark chocolate that melt just right against zesty bursts of fresh orange. With the sea salt’s subtle crunch weaving through every bite, this recipe is an absolute showstopper—inviting you into a comforting yet sophisticated treat you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem simple, but each one plays a crucial role in crafting cookies that are bursting with flavor, chewy texture, and irresistible aroma. From the tangy orange zest to the velvety melted dark chocolate chunks, you can almost taste the harmony before you even bake.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and the perfect crumb to your cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and gives them a lovely tender texture.
- Cornstarch: Adds softness and helps keep the cookies chewy rather than cakey.
- Kosher sea salt: Enhances the natural flavors and adds a light crunch, balancing the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and moisture, crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and helps with cookie spreading for that perfect edge crispness.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a hint of molasses depth that complements the dark chocolate.
- Orange zest: Injects a fresh, citrusy punch that brightens every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and sweetness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the cookie’s soft center.
- Dark chocolate bar (chopped): The star ingredient that delivers rich, bittersweet pockets of indulgence in every cookie.
- Sea salt (for garnish): A final sprinkle that amplifies flavor contrasts and gives the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and come off easily without sticking. This small step will save you time and keep the cookie bottoms perfectly golden.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher sea salt. This step ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, giving your cookies a balanced rise and just the right hint of savory zing.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the texture is smooth and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mix, setting the foundation for soft, tender cookies. Then stir in the orange zest, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing until the batter feels perfectly smooth and fragrant with citrus and warm vanilla aroma.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually fold the dry ingredient mix into your wet ingredients. Take your time; you want everything to come together without overmixing, which can toughen cookies. The dough will start to thicken and becomes irresistibly soft. Finally, gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate chunks—the indulgent stars bursting through every bite.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
This is a crucial step! Pop your cookie dough into the fridge for at least two hours. Chilling helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, giving you thick, chewy cookies with edges that crisp up perfectly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Once chilled, form dough balls and place them spaced out on your prepared baking sheets. Bake them for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges take on a beautiful golden hue while the centers remain soft and tender. Remember to let them cool on the sheets before serving to let the cookies set just right.
How to Serve Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the hot cookies just out of the oven will elevate the flavors even more, making that dark chocolate and orange zest pop in every bite. For extra flair, try a thin orange slice or a zest twist as a garnish when serving to guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For a special occasion, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat that’s hard to resist.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these beauties on a rustic wooden board or placing them in cute parchment-lined boxes for gifting. You can also sandwich a smear of orange marmalade or chocolate ganache between two cookies to reinvent this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe into an irresistible cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep your baked cookies fresh for up to a week by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture, keeping your cookies soft and chewy for days.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, the cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a resealable bag. Bake straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time, and you’ll have fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked warmth, pop your cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or reheat briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This brings back the melty chocolate goodness and soft texture that make these cookies so addictive.
FAQs
Can I use orange extract instead of orange zest?
While orange extract can provide flavor, fresh orange zest offers a brighter, more natural citrus aroma and a subtle texture that truly enhances this cookie recipe’s character. To get the best results, stick to the zest if possible.
What type of dark chocolate is best?
Choose a good-quality dark chocolate bar with at least 60-70% cocoa content. This ensures the chocolate tastes rich and bittersweet, balancing perfectly with the orange’s brightness without being overly sweet.
Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling the dough solidifies the fats, which means the cookies spread less during baking. It also allows the flavors to develop and results in a chewier, more tender cookie with those perfect crisp edges.
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?
Butter is key for flavor and texture in this recipe. Using margarine or oil will change the cookie’s taste and consistency. But if you must substitute, expect slightly different results in chewiness and richness.
How do I prevent cookies from being too flat?
Besides chilling the dough, make sure you measure your flour correctly and don’t over-cream the butter and sugars. Using cornstarch, as the recipe suggests, also helps the cookies keep a thicker profile.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the way orange and dark chocolate sing together in this Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. Each batch you make feels like a cozy little celebration of flavors that comfort and delight all at once. I encourage you to dive into this recipe soon—you’ll find it’s impossible to stop at just one cookie once you’ve tasted that perfect combination of zesty brightness with rich chocolate indulgence.
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
Delight in these Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies, combining the rich intensity of dark chocolate with a refreshing hint of bright orange zest. These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a chewy texture, ideal for any occasion or just a cozy treat.
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 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Add-ins & Garnish
- 6 oz dark chocolate bar, chopped
- Sea salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher sea salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and packed brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a lighter cookie.
- Add Flavorings & Eggs: Mix in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugars. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure a consistent batter.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can result in tough cookies. Fold in the chopped dark chocolate chunks evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This step helps to develop the flavors and makes the dough easier to handle when forming cookies.
- Form & Arrange: Once chilled, form the dough into balls using a cookie scoop or your hands and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Cool & Garnish: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Optionally sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the tops to enhance the chocolate and orange flavors before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for perfect texture and flavor development.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best taste and texture contrast.
- Orange zest should be freshly grated to maximize the citrus aroma and flavor.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a softer cookie, bake on the shorter end of the time range; for crisper edges, bake a bit longer.
