Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I made these on a whim on Saturday morning, before everyone arrived for the exchange, and while I could still stand and work at the counter. When my mom arrived later on to bring drugs and survey the aftermath, these were her favourites (not knowing who had made them). I had Mike in mind, who adores those Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, but anyone who loves chocolate and orange together will love these. You could fancy them up with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks and pecans, but I rather like the dramatic effect of pure dark chocolate and orange.
Dark Chocolate Orange Cookies

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugars and orange zest until pale and almost fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt and stir or beat on low until almost combined; add the chocolate chunks and citron (if you're using it) and stir just until blended.
Drop dough by the spoonful onto a parchment-lined (or buttered) sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes (depending on their size) until golden around the edges but still soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugars and orange zest until pale and almost fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt and stir or beat on low until almost combined; add the chocolate chunks and citron (if you're using it) and stir just until blended.
Drop dough by the spoonful onto a parchment-lined (or buttered) sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes (depending on their size) until golden around the edges but still soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
I like the ‘writing on the image’ thing you’ve got going on. The pictures pop even more with just a word or two: and I like how you’re mixing it up, some with writing and some without. It worked super-well on the cookie exchange ones… just that little extra, so you can tell which one is which.
Looks like this recipe is another winner. I was looking through your archives for Grandma Woodall’s Marmalade cookies: can’t find the recipe. (I found references to it, though: it must exist!)
Signed, The Rosette Queen (I love it!) *must practise waving*
these were SO GOOD, thanks for sharing the recipe. I actually wondered if more of my cookie swag had an orange influence and then I realized it was orange in yours that was doing the trick. Yummo!
To Carol, yes you must practice the Royal Wave and perhaps a tiara for
‘rosetteing’ if there is ever another time! 🙂
I LOVE chocolate and orange together! Swiss Orange Chocolate Chip ice cream at Swenson’s (San Francisco) was my favorite ice cream in my youth. I once created a tart to honor this ice cream,http://thewellwornapron.blogspot.com/2011/03/swiss-orange-chip-tart.html
I hope you are on the mend! I just made a trifle from Saveur for a party tonight and I am over the moon at how beautifully it turned out. This never happens to me! I will probably be in a diabetic coma after eating it (even though I’m not diabetic) but it will be worth it. happy holidays!
I think I`m going to make these. Thanks!
I will be making these; not getting much baking done this year with an ailing 87 yr old dad in hospital; but, he loves ginger, and he loves chocolate (at least when he has an appetite); so I’m going to put candied ginger in place of the candied citron. I can’t see how they won’t be fantastic. Thank you! And thanks for inspiring me. Sometimes, stuff like baking just doesn’t make it on the priority list. But as my adult children start coming home from University etc. we can make these together.
I need to do it. : )
Those cookies look and sound phenomenal. They remind me of your salted chocolate chunk cookies.
I have to share, I just hosted a mini cookie swap with my close friends, and one of them made your carrot cookies with lemon cream cheese frosting from One Smart Cookie. To die for!
Everytime I try a new recipe from you it is like a new gift that just keeps on giving. Thank you. I have just taken the first sheet of these out of the oven and oooh la la they are good!!!! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012.
The. Best. Cookie. Ever.
Can’t wait to try this recipe! How much of the grated orange peel should be added to this recipe? Also, can we use clementine peel instead?
The flavor of these cookies was fantastic. By far my favorite chocolate chip cookie flavor wise. However, they also turned out very hard and I was wondering if I had something wrong (I did cream butter and sugar pretty well) and if there is a way to keep them softer. The flavor – sooooo delicious!!!!!
I’ve made these before, and I love them. I was thinking of something good to bake seeing as my Ginger Pear Bundt cake is almost gone, and I think this is it. It’s a good thing I don’t mind sharing with others or I’d need to hit the gym 5 times a day!
Nikki – ha, yes, it’s good to have people around to share with!