Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy orange chocolate chip cookies with a bright citrus twist. Easy recipe with basic ingredients. Get the perfect cookie every time!
More ways to enjoy vegetarian: Cheesecake Truffle Brownies, Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, or Salted Pretzel Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.
The Flavor That Makes These Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies Special
These orange chocolate chip cookies are the kind of cookie that makes you wonder why you haven’t been adding citrus to your chocolate chip cookies all along. The orange zest gives a bright, fragrant note that pairs beautifully with the dark chocolate chips. The cookies turn out buttery, soft, and chewy, with melty chocolate in every bite.
3 Reasons to Love These Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
- The orange zest adds a fresh citrus lift that makes these cookies stand out from plain chocolate chip.
- They stay soft and chewy for days thanks to the combination of brown sugar and butter.
- The recipe comes together quickly with basic pantry ingredients.
Key Ingredients for Citrus Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Orange zest: Use fresh oranges for the best flavor. Avoid the white pith, which is bitter. A microplane or fine grater works best for zesting.
- Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips are recommended, but semi-sweet or milk chocolate also work. Use good-quality chips for better melting and flavor.
- Sea salt: A flaky sea salt like Maldon is ideal for sprinkling on top. It adds a pleasant crunch and balances the sweetness.
Kitchen Tools for Making Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Stand mixer or hand mixer for creaming butter and sugar.
- Silpat baking mat or parchment paper for lining baking sheets.
- Baking sheet (large).
- Wire cooling rack for cooling cookies.
Tips for Making the Best Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Don’t skip the step of rubbing the orange zest into the granulated sugar. This releases the essential oils from the zest, giving the cookies a much stronger orange flavor than simply stirring the zest into the dough. Also, be sure to sprinkle the cookies with sea salt right before baking. That little bit of salt balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate taste richer. For the best texture, bake just until the edges are golden brown. The centers will look slightly underdone, but they’ll set as the cookies cool on the baking sheet.
Expert Advice for Perfect Orange Zest Cookies
To keep these cookies consistently soft and chewy, measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off. Too much flour can make them dry. If you prefer a slightly crisper edge, let the cookies bake a minute or two longer, but watch closely so the bottoms don’t burn. For evenly sized cookies, use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop. That also helps them bake at the same rate.
Easy Variations for Chocolate Orange Cookies
You can easily switch up the chocolate in these cookies. The recipe calls for dark chocolate chips, but semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work just as well. For a different twist, try using white chocolate chips or a mix of dark and white. If you want an even stronger orange flavor, add a teaspoon of orange extract along with the vanilla. Just keep in mind that extract is more potent than zest, so start with less.
What to Serve with Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are wonderful with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. The orange and chocolate combination also pairs nicely with a cup of Earl Grey tea. For a dessert plate, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
How to Store Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days. If you live in a humid climate, add a slice of bread to the container to help maintain their texture.
How to Freeze Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can freeze either the baked cookies or the unbaked dough. For baked cookies, let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To freeze the dough, scoop it into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Best Way to Reheat Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
To bring back that just-baked softness, microwave a cookie for 10 to 15 seconds. If you prefer a slightly crisper edge, reheat in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Let them cool for a minute before eating.
Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies FAQs
Can I use orange extract instead of orange zest?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of orange extract for the zest. Add it with the vanilla extract. The flavor will be slightly different, more concentrated and less floral, but still good.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but reduce the added sea salt in the dough to 1/2 teaspoon. The recipe calls for unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. If you use salted butter, cut the salt in half to avoid overly salty cookies.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Cookies can spread if the butter is too soft or if the dough is too warm. Make sure your butter is at room temperature but not melted. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help control spread, though the recipe doesn’t require it.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time.
Recipe
Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies with a hint of orange! These cookies are delightful!
Ingredients
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 medium orange orange zest
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2.5 cup chocolate chips, I used dark chocolate chips
- sea salt, for sprinkling on cookies
- orange zest, for sprinkling on cookies, if desired
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Set aside.
- 3
In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and orange zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant.
- 4
Using a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars together for about 3 minutes. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add in the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- 5
Form the cookie dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons of dough. Place on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- 6
Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with a little bit of fresh orange zest, if desired. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calorie breakdown
How this was calculated — 11 of 13 ingredients matched
Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.
Open in analyzerKeyword: cookie, dessert, Oven Baked, vegetarian
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