Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft chocolate chips cookies with a hint of orange make these a favorite cookie!
Delight in the perfect harmony of citrus and chocolate with our irresistible Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a masterful blend of classic comfort and vibrant flavor, designed to become an instant favorite in your recipe collection. Each bite offers a luxuriously soft texture, studded with rich chocolate chips and infused with the bright, aromatic zest of fresh oranges. If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that stands out from the crowd, something truly special that will earn rave reviews, then look no further.
Looking for more orange-flavored recipes to brighten your day? You’ll love this Orange Cake for a show-stopping dessert or these Orange Blondies for a chewy, citrusy treat that’s perfect for sharing (or not!).
The Irresistible Charm of Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
It’s true, you can never have too many cookie recipes, especially when they’re as uniquely delicious as these Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe marries one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations: the deep, comforting richness of chocolate with the bright, uplifting zest of orange. What makes these cookies truly exceptional is how the orange flavor is perfectly balanced – it’s present enough to provide a delightful, aromatic lift, but never overpowering the classic chocolate chip goodness. This subtle hint is exactly what will make you reach for a second (and maybe a third!) cookie, creating a truly memorable dessert experience.
While I personally adore semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe, allowing the orange to shine alongside their balanced sweetness, these cookies are incredibly versatile. If you’re a devoted fan of milk chocolate, rest assured they would be equally delicious, offering a sweeter, creamier chocolate contrast. And let’s talk about texture: the secret ingredient here is cream cheese. Its addition creates an incredibly soft, tender, and slightly chewy cookie that practically melts in your mouth. This unique texture, combined with the vibrant flavor, makes these cookies an absolute winner in my book – and soon to be in yours too!
Ingredients Matter: The Magic Behind the Flavor
Crafting the perfect cookie begins with understanding the role each ingredient plays. For our Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies, every component is carefully chosen to contribute to their unparalleled taste and texture:
- Butter: The foundation of any great cookie, butter provides richness and tenderness, ensuring a delightful chew.
- Cream Cheese: This is our secret weapon for an incredibly soft, almost cake-like interior. It adds a subtle tang that complements the orange beautifully and keeps the cookies moist.
- Sugar: Sweetness and a delicate crispness around the edges are brought by granulated sugar, balancing the flavors.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, giving structure to the cookies and contributing to their chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A universal flavor enhancer, vanilla deepens the overall taste profile and works wonderfully with both orange and chocolate.
- Grated Orange Zest: The star of the show! Zest provides pure, concentrated orange essential oils without adding excess moisture or tartness. It’s where all that vibrant citrus aroma comes from.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of the cookie, ensuring they hold their shape without being too dense.
- Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, particularly the chocolate and orange. Don’t skip it!
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The perfect companion to orange. Their bittersweet notes provide a delightful contrast and pockets of gooey indulgence.
Tips for Baking Perfect Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection is easier than you think with a few simple tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly with the sugar, creating an emulsified base that traps air, leading to light and fluffy cookies.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies. We want soft and tender!
- Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate baking, spoon your flour into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much dry ingredient and a drier cookie.
- The Sticky Dough Secret: The recipe notes that the dough will be sticky, and this is perfectly normal due to the cream cheese. Don’t be tempted to add more flour. Instead, use a cookie scoop or two spoons to drop generous tablespoonfuls onto your baking sheet.
- Watch the Edges: Bake until the edges are just lightly browned. The centers might still look a little soft, but they will set as the cookies cool. Overbaking is the quickest way to dry out your cookies and lose that wonderful soft texture.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Fresh Orange Zest: Always use fresh orange zest for the best flavor. A microplane zester works wonders for getting fine zest without the bitter white pith.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
While these Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect as is, feel free to get creative!
- Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate. Dark chocolate chips will offer a more intense, less sweet contrast, while white chocolate chips could add a creamy, sweet dimension. You could even use chopped chocolate bars for varied textures.
- Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts would add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with orange and chocolate.
- Orange Glaze: For an extra citrusy punch, drizzle a simple orange glaze over the cooled cookies. Mix powdered sugar with a little fresh orange juice until you reach a desired consistency.
- Spiced Orange: A tiny pinch of cinnamon or cardamom can add a warm, complex note to the citrus and chocolate.
Serve these cookies slightly warm for the ultimate gooey chocolate experience. They pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a comforting mug of tea. They’re also perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or simply as a special everyday treat.
Storage Instructions
To keep your Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy them for longer, they freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about 30 minutes, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
More Cookie Recipes to Love
If you’re a cookie enthusiast like us, you’ll want to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Easy Cake Mix Cookies
- Decadent Cookies and Cream Pudding Cookies
- Classic Oatmeal Scotchies
- Crunchy Cornflake Cookies
- Delightful Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
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Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Deborah Harroun
15 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
24 cookies
Dessert
American
Pin Recipe
Soft chocolate chips cookies with a hint of orange make these a favorite cookie!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and beat until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and the grated orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet creamed mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Drop the sticky dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving enough space between cookies. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are just set.
Recipe Notes:
Adapted from Southern Living All-Time Favorite Cookie Recipes.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 cookie,
Calories: 119 kcal (6%),
Carbohydrates: 13g (4%),
Protein: 1g (2%),
Fat: 7g (11%),
Saturated Fat: 4g (25%),
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g,
Trans Fat: 0g,
Cholesterol: 21mg (7%),
Sodium: 75mg (3%),
Potassium: 35mg (1%),
Fiber: 1g (4%),
Sugar: 8g (9%)
chocolate chip cookies, orange chocolate chip cookies
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Can I use orange juice instead of zest?
- It’s highly recommended to use only orange zest. Orange juice adds liquid, which can alter the dough’s consistency, making your cookies spread too much or become cakey. The zest provides concentrated flavor without affecting the texture.
- Can I freeze the cookie dough?
- Yes, you can! Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze until firm (about 30-60 minutes). Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time.
- Why are my cookies spreading too much?
- Several factors can cause cookies to spread. Ensure your butter and cream cheese aren’t too soft (overly melted). Measuring flour accurately is also crucial – too little flour can lead to excessive spreading. Also, if your kitchen is very warm, the dough might benefit from a quick chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking.
- Can I use a different type of chocolate?
- Absolutely! While semi-sweet is a classic choice, milk chocolate will give a sweeter, creamier cookie. Dark chocolate will provide a richer, more intense flavor. White chocolate chips or even chopped chocolate bars can also be used for variety.
- How do I get enough orange flavor?
- The key is fresh orange zest. Using a microplane zester will give you fine zest without the bitter white pith. One teaspoon is usually enough for a subtle, aromatic hint, but if you love a stronger orange flavor, you can slightly increase it to 1.5 teaspoons. Avoid using artificial orange extract unless you’re very familiar with its potency.
A Final Word on These Zesty Delights
These Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies are truly a delightful twist on a beloved classic. The subtle citrus brightens the rich chocolate, while the cream cheese ensures every cookie is perfectly soft and chewy. They’re simple enough for a weeknight treat but elegant enough to impress guests. Don’t just take our word for it—whip up a batch today and discover your new favorite cookie. We’re confident that once you try them, you’ll understand why this unique flavor combination is a match made in baking heaven!