Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 150 g (¾ cup) soft light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 140 g (¾ cup + 2 tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 40 g (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) cocoa powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
Flavorings and Add-ins
- Zest of one orange, plus extra to decorate
- 100 g (generous ½ cup) chocolate orange, chopped into chunks, plus extra for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare Butter and Sugar Mixture: Melt the butter in the microwave in short bursts of 10 seconds, stirring between each until fully melted. Whisk the melted butter together with the light brown sugar until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and the egg, whisking thoroughly until the mixture is completely combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Dough: Sift the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt, and cornflour directly into the wet mixture. Zest one orange over the bowl to incorporate the fresh citrus oils, then mix until the dough is almost combined. Fold in the chopped chocolate orange chunks evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the Cookie Dough: Using an ice cream scoop or spoons, portion the dough into balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough balls for at least two hours or overnight if possible to firm up, which helps maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Line a fresh baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chilled dough balls on the sheet, spacing each 3 to 4 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching closely for the cookies to set but remain soft. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the Cookies: Melt the reserved chocolate orange gently and drizzle it over the cooled cookies. Finish with a sprinkle of extra fresh orange zest to add brightness and a decorative touch. Serve and enjoy your indulgent treat!
Notes
- Melting the butter in short microwave bursts prevents it from overheating and separating.
- Zesting the orange directly over the batter helps capture the aromatic oils for enhanced flavor.
- Chilling the cookie dough is crucial for firm cookies that don’t spread too much while baking.
- Baking at a lower temperature ensures a soft, chewy texture rather than a crispy cookie.
- Use good quality chocolate orange for the best balance of chocolate and citrus flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
