Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies Recipe

Easy Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies Recipe: Sweet Magic

Chocolate orange brownie cookies blend two beloved desserts into a tantalizing treat that promises pure indulgence.

Rich, fudgy textures mingle with bright citrus notes, creating a sensational flavor profile that awakens your taste buds.

Dark cocoa powder provides intense depth while orange zest introduces a surprising, vibrant twist to traditional cookie expectations.

Soft centers and crispy edges characterize these delightful morsels, offering a complex textural experience with every bite.

The marriage of deep chocolate and refreshing orange results in a sophisticated dessert that feels both familiar and innovative.

chocolate lovers and adventurous bakers will appreciate this unique confection that enhances classic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Sweet, zesty, and utterly irresistible, these cookies demand immediate baking.

Why Chocolate Orange Cookies Feel So Lush

  • Burst of Citrusy Chocolate Delight: Combines rich chocolate with bright orange zest, creating an unexpected and tantalizing flavor combination that dances on your taste buds.
  • Effortlessly Elegant Baking: Super simple recipe that delivers bakery-quality cookies with minimal effort, perfect for home bakers wanting professional-level treats without complicated techniques.
  • Texture Perfection Promise: Promises a magical balance between fudgy brownie-like centers and crisp cookie edges, offering a mouthwatering experience in every single bite.
  • Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making these cookies an ideal spontaneous dessert for family gatherings or last-minute sweet cravings.
Dry Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the perfect brownie cookie with a light, tender crumb.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and rich dark color to the cookie base.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, slightly cakey texture.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cookie.
Wet and Sweet Components:
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, smooth chocolate base that gives intense moisture and depth.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor that complements chocolate perfectly.
  • Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a chewy, soft cookie texture.
  • Large Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure and richness.
  • Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender, soft cookie crumb.
  • Orange Zest: Introduces bright, fresh citrus notes that elevate the chocolate flavor.
Chocolate Accent:
  • Orange Chocolate: Brings additional chocolate intensity with a zesty orange twist, creating a delightful flavor combination.

How to Bake Rich, Citrus-Infused Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Warm up the oven to 325°F. Cover two large baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, blend these dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Whisk together until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 3: Melt Chocolate and Butter

Select a microwave-safe bowl and add:
  • Semi-sweet chocolate
  • Butter

Zap in short 15-second bursts, stirring between each interval. Continue until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Create Wet Ingredient Mixture

Stir into the melted chocolate-butter blend:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Fresh orange zest

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in milk and blend completely.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in chopped orange chocolate pieces.

Step 6: Shape and Bake Cookies

Drop ¼ cup portions of batter onto prepared baking sheets. Lower oven temperature to 300°F. Bake for 16-19 minutes until edges look set.

Step 7: Cool and Finish

Optional: Press extra chocolate chunks on top of warm cookies. Allow cookies to cool directly on baking sheet for perfect texture and consistency.

Tips for Soft Centers and Crisp Edges

  • Melt Chocolate Gently: Use short microwave bursts and stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve smooth, glossy chocolate.
  • Zest with Care: Grate orange zest carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for a pure, bright citrus flavor.
  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and cocoa powder to maintain the ideal cookie-brownie texture.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined to keep cookies tender and prevent tough texture.
  • Cool Completely: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet after removing from oven, letting them set and develop a rich, fudgy consistency.

Keeping Cookies Tasting Fresh Longer

  • Refrigeration: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
  • Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, gooey texture and enhance the chocolate and orange flavors.

Pairing Sips and Snacks with These Bites

  • Brew Citrusy Coffee Companion: Dark roast coffee with hints of orange complements the chocolate's richness, cutting through the sweetness while highlighting the brownie cookies' deep flavor profile.
  • Pair with Creamy Orange Liqueur: Cointreau or Grand Marnier creates a sophisticated dessert experience, enhancing the orange zest notes and providing a smooth alcoholic backdrop to the chocolate intensity.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, creamy vanilla softens the brownie cookie's dense texture, creating a luxurious contrast and balancing the deep chocolate and bright citrus elements.
  • Select Sparkling Moscato: Light, sweet white wine with orange blossom undertones perfectly matches the cookies' citrusy chocolate complexity, offering a refreshing and elegant pairing.

Twists to Try with Chocolate and Citrus

  • Citrus Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Replace orange zest with lemon or grapefruit zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that complements the rich chocolate base.
  • Dark Chocolate Espresso Edition: Add 1-2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients for an intense, deep chocolate experience with a robust coffee undertone.
  • Nutty Orange Chocolate Cookies: Incorporate toasted chopped almonds or hazelnuts into the batter for added crunch and a complementary nutty dimension that enhances the chocolate and orange combination.
  • Mexican-Inspired Spice Cookies: Mix in a pinch of ground cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper to create a warm, complex flavor that brings depth and subtle heat to the classic chocolate orange cookie.
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Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Chocolate orange brownie cookies blend rich cocoa with zesty citrus, creating an irresistible dessert that marries two beloved flavors. Fudgy centers and crisp edges promise a delightful experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Base Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup plus 2 ½ tablespoons (160 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Additional Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Chocolate Additions:

  • 7 ounces (198 grams) orange chocolate, chopped (such as Lindt Intense Orange)

Instructions

  1. Prepare baking equipment by positioning oven racks in the middle position and heating to 325°F. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper, lightly spraying with non-stick coating.
  2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until completely integrated.
  3. Transform chocolate and butter into a silky mixture using microwave technique: combine semi-sweet chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe container, heating in short 15-second bursts while stirring between intervals until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency.
  4. Develop rich flavor layers by introducing vanilla, sugars, and vibrant orange zest into the melted chocolate base. Incorporate eggs methodically, blending thoroughly after each addition, then gently mix in milk to create a harmonious wet mixture.
  5. Merge dry and wet ingredients carefully, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. Delicately fold chopped orange chocolate throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution.
  6. Form cookie portions by scooping generous ¼ cup measurements onto prepared sheets. Lower oven temperature to 300°F and bake for 16-19 minutes, watching for slight cracking on surface.
  7. Enhance visual appeal by optionally pressing additional chocolate chunks onto warm cookies immediately after removing from oven. Allow cookies to rest and solidify on baking sheet, developing perfect chewy texture.

Notes

  • Embrace the zesty orange chocolate fusion that transforms classic brownies into irresistible cookies.
  • Carefully balance melted chocolate and butter to create a rich, smooth base that guarantees decadent texture.
  • Gently fold chopped orange chocolate for unexpected bursts of citrusy-sweet flavor in every delightful bite.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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