Description
Delight in these rich and zesty Chocolate Orange Cookies, perfectly balancing the sweetness of milk chocolate with the fresh citrus burst of orange zest. Soft and thick with a slight crisp on the edges, these cookies are topped with a slice of Terry’s chocolate orange and a sprinkle of flaked salt for a gourmet touch.
Ingredients
Sugars and Flavorings
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 medium orange zest
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Butter and Eggs
- ½ cup salted butter (cold, diced)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Chocolate
- 1 cup milk chocolate bar, chopped
- Terry’s chocolate orange slices for topping
Toppings
- Flaked salt for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Orange Zest and Sugars: Place granulated sugar and brown sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Add the orange zest and rub the mixture with your fingers to infuse the sugars with the citrus flavor thoroughly.
- Incorporate Butter, Eggs, and Vanilla: Add the diced cold butter to the sugar and zest mixture. Beat them together until well combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing again until smooth and cohesive.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the baking soda, salt, baking powder, and all-purpose flour until just combined, ensuring not to overwork the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate: Gently fold the chopped milk chocolate into the dough evenly.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Using a ¼ cup cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Shape the dough balls to be taller and thinner to maintain thickness during baking. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours to enhance flavor and texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the chilled cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until the tops are a light golden brown.
- Add Toppings and Cool: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a slice of Terry’s chocolate orange on top of each cookie and sprinkle with flaked salt. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before handling to set their shape and flavors.
Notes
- Chilling the cookie dough for at least 2 hours is essential for thicker, more flavorful cookies.
- Use cold butter to create a tender crumb and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Pressing the chocolate orange slices on warm cookies melts them slightly, creating a delightful texture contrast.
- Flaked salt enhances the chocolate and orange flavors by adding a subtle salty crunch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
