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Hi Bold Bakers!
One of my favorite classic flavor combinations is dark chocolate and orange. During the holidays, there’s something really nice about making a few things with nostalgic flavors like my Irish Christmas Cake (also known as a fruitcake) or classic pies like my Perfect Apple Pie, but you also have to cover the cookie category — and that’s where these come in!
Think orange scented buttery cookies dipped in melted dark chocolate. And they look every bit as good as they taste, making these dark chocolate and orange cookies great for gifting.
Why does dark chocolate and orange work so well together?
If you’ve never had orange and chocolate together before, you are in for a serious treat!
Dark chocolate often has a naturally fruity note to it which somehow makes the orange taste more “orange.” Thanks to orange juice and zest, these shortbread cookies are spiked with citrus flavor. After baking the orange shortbreads, each cookie is then dipped in melted, good quality, dark chocolate. The finished cookies are buttery, zesty, and chocolatey. What more could you want out of one cookie!
How to slice shortbread cookies
The first step to making the cookies is making the slice and bake orange shortbread. I love to make this kind of cookie when entertaining during the holidays because they can be made in advance and require almost no time to bake off. Instead of shaping the cookie dough into balls like a typical cookie, this dough is rolled into a log and then wrapped in cling wrap. After setting up in the fridge or freezer, I slice the cookie in 1/2 inch discs.
I love how they come out perfectly even every time.
This makes the finished cookie like like they were made my Santa’s elves themselves!
How to dip cookies in chocolate
After the orange shortbreads are baked, they get their dark chocolate finish. I do this by simply melting the chocolate in the microwave, but you can do this over a double boiler if you prefer.
After my chocolate is shiny and smooth, I dip 1/2 of each cooled cookie, then allow it to set in a wire rack. If for some reason you don’t like dark chocolate feel free to use milk chocolate, but again I think the combo of dark chocolate and orange go together like peanut butter and jelly. If your chocolate doesn’t set up after 30 minutes to an hour, pop them in the fridge to firm up. Once the chocolate is set, it’s time to eat!
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Dark Chocolate and Orange Cookies Recipe (Slice & Bake)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (6oz/170g) butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup (4oz/115g) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (10oz/284g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnmamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 orange, zested
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 1/3 cups (8oz/225g) dark chocolate, roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla then mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the wet dry ingredients into the wet and mix until just combined.
- Mixing on low, add in the orange juice and zest. Mix until just combined, the dough will be slightly wet and sticky.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and bring the dough into a ball. Divide the ball into 2 and roll each half into and 8 inch log about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Wrap each log in plastic wrap, twisting the ends tightly to create and even log. Chill the dough for 4 hours to overnight.
- When ready to bake the cookies preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and un-wrap. Slice each log into 1/2 inch slices then arrange the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 18 minutes, until they are lightly browned and crisp.
- Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooing melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or over a double boiler.
- Once the cookies have completely cooled dip each one in chocolate, covering 1/2 of the cookie generously.
- Return the cookies to the rack to allow the chocolate to fully set. If the chocolate is not fully setting place the rack of cookies in the fridge to firm up for about 30 minutes.
- Cover and store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Incredible – no issues with the consistency. Chocolate & Orange, what a combo .
I am having the same problem as Jhcesi – seems to have too much flour in recipe but others seem to be getting no problem so not sure – making mine at the moment but am inclined to keep some flour back. All your other recipes I have used have produced fantastic comments fro friends and neighbours.
I wanted to share a tip I got from our local Baker! (I dont know if you heard this)When a recipe requires zest, use a peeler to thinly peel the orange and put it in the food processor with the sugar and blitz it. I did try it and it made a massive difference in flavour ???? love all your recipes
These are absolutely delicious. I had no problem with the recipe at all. The cookies came out just as expected. But for me, since this is not a very sweet cookie, I will use milk chocolate for the dipping next time. But that is just personal preference. This is a great recipe – thanks Gemma!!
Can you freeze one cookie dough log?
These cookies look delicious. They remind me of a large cookie that is very popular in New York City. It is called a “Black and White”. Its more cakelike than cookie and it has white icing on half and chocolate on the other half. Can you create a recipe for us? I no longer live in NYC and miss them.
Can we use regular milk chocolate instead of dark?
Pls suggest I don’t want to use egg
Do you use the juice from the oranges or store bought oj?
Can I melt semi chocolate chips for the dipping part? Will that set?