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
Scale
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.
