Description
These Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies combine the zesty brightness of fresh orange zest with rich chunks of dark chocolate in a soft, chewy cookie. Perfect for those who appreciate the balance of citrus and bittersweet chocolate flavors in every bite, these cookies are ideal for snack time or dessert.
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 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Add-ins
- 6 oz dark chocolate bar (chopped)
Garnish
- Sea salt (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and kosher sea salt until well combined to distribute the leavening agents uniformly through the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which helps to create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings and Eggs: Incorporate the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure full incorporation.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Dark Chocolate Chunks: Gently fold chopped dark chocolate chunks into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly for bursts of rich chocolate in every bite.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, which helps to develop flavor and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Form Cookies: Once chilled, form dough balls of desired size and place them spaced apart on prepared parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers look set but still soft.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt while still warm for a finishing touch that enhances flavor.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for flavor development and preventing cookies from spreading too much.
- Use a sharp knife to chop the dark chocolate bar into chunks for better texture in the cookies.
- For a more intense orange flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of orange extract along with the zest.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze dough balls for future baking.
- If you prefer softer cookies, remove them from the oven just as the edges turn golden and centers still look slightly underbaked.
