I was craving something sweet and really easy to make and these orange chocolate chip cookies perfectly fit the bill. Close to a traditional chocolate chip cookie but with the addition of fresh orange zest and juice making a beautiful sweet treat.
As always, if you want the easiest and fastest way to get cookie dough portioned and onto the baking sheets, go out and buy a spring-loaded ice cream scoop (or 4 different sizes like I have). I can get an entire pan done in about a minute – so much faster and more easily than I used to with two spoons. It wasn’t until I was entering baked goods in competitions that I realized I needed a way to make cookies all the same size. I bought my first scoop and instantly fell in love, then went out and got three more so I could make different sizes. I use them for all kinds of doughs and to scoop batters into muffin pan or cupcakes. They are also great for pancakes and waffles. Go make your life easier!
These cookies are two of my favorites rolled into one. America’s #1 cookie, chocolate chip with citrus that I love. Lemon, lime, orange, any or all blended together = delicious to me. But when you put the two together, it is legendary. The Artist was hovering the whole time I was making them, so anxious to get a bite that he nearly burned himself on a cookie straight from the oven.
The ingredient list is pretty close to Tollhouse cookies except for the addition of the orange juice and zest. But the biggest difference is the requirement to let the dough rest before you portion it out and bake the cookies. After about 45 minutes I expected the dough to be really firm and hard to scoop, but it was soft and very pliable.
The resting allows the flour to fully absorb all the liquids in the dough, giving you a better hydrated cookie. This is especially helpful when using gluten-free flour blends as they don’t typically absorb as well as wheat flour does.
As good as the cookies were straight from the oven, they were actually better the next day – possibly because mine were made with gluten-free flours. Crispy, crunchy, with rich flavors that perfectly play off each other, these Orange Chocolate Chip cookies are truly wonderful.
Have a wonderful week and happy Chocolate Monday!
Key Ingredients for Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Butter
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar
- Eggs
- Orange zest and juice
- Vanilla
- All-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
- Baking soda and kosher salt
- Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- Chopped pecans (optional)
PRO Tip:
Using a spring-loaded scoop makes cooking making so quick and easy. All your cookies will be the same size and bake much more evenly.
How to make Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Cream the butter and sugars together; add the eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition; mix in the vanilla, orange zest, and juice
- Gradually beat in the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing until smooth; stir in the chocolate chips and pecans (if using)
- Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours
- Portion the dough into 2 tbsp balls and bake about 12 minutes; cool on baking sheet 5 min before transferring to wire racks to cool thoroughly
Kitchen Tools I Use to Make This Recipe (affiliate links):
Gluten-Free Tips:
You can use my favorite homemade gluten-free baking blend or a commercial product to make these cookies. Two of my personal favorites are from King Arthur Flour and Bob’s Red Mill’s 1-to-1 blend.
Gluten-Free Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enjoy these truly amazing chocolate chip cookies - packed with bright orange flavor, taking them to a whole new level of greatness!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks; 8 oz) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest [from 1 large orange]
- 3 tsp orange juice, from zested orange
- 3-1/4 cups (390g) all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat together the butter and both sugars until soft and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated between each addition. Then add the vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice, and beat on low for 1 minute until combined.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add and beat in the flour blend. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes – or up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Using a spring-loaded scoop, portion the dough into 1-1/2 to 2 tbsp balls and place on prepared baking sheets leaving room between them to allow for spreading. For the best results, bake one sheet at a time.
- Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until golden brown around the edges but still slightly soft in the middle. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
Notes
Adapted from Sara of The Pajama Chef
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
48Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g
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This post was first shared in Feb 2015. The article was updated in 2020.
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Jenna
hi Jane, I look forward to perusing your recipes, my grandson is gluten intolerant so I’m always looking for gluten free recipes~ he will love these cookies, his two favorites, chocolate and orange! Welcome to SRC!
Jane Bonacci
I am happy to help Jenna. Everything on the blog from mid-Aug 2012 (when I was diagnosed) forward includes a gluten-free option or is fully GF. All the photos are of the GF versions I make for my family. I hope you find lots of things your grandson will enjoy and if you like chocolate, you will have fun with my weekly Chocolate Mondays! 🙂
Janet
orange and chocolate and gluten free–what could be better! Can’t wait to try these
Jane Bonacci
I’m glad you like this choice Janet, and I’m sure you will love them even more once you’ve tasted them! 🙂
chelsy
orange and chocolate is a fantastic combo! Great choice and amazing photos!
Jane Bonacci
Ah, thanks so much Chelsy! I’m glad you enjoy the photos!! 🙂
Stephanie
I like the combination of citrus and chocolate and think these cookies sound wonderful. Thank you so much for your wonderful SRC post. Welcome to group C
Jane Bonacci
Thank you Stephanie! I am having a fun time discovering all the wonderful blogs in Group C ~ what a great selection!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
too funny that you got my blog this month, jane! love that you made these cookies. i should make them again soon 🙂 thanks for your kind words!!
Jane Bonacci
These are such a great treat Sarah, The Artist is packing his own treat bags to take with him each day, LOL! The gluten-free version was so easy to work with, not always the case. Really great recipe, thanks again for the inspiration!
Our Eating Habits
Welcome to Group C! Love your ice cream scooper tip. I’m going to call hubby and let him know I need one!
Jane Bonacci
LOL, if you tell him he will get more cookies if he gets you a scoop, I’ll bet he won’t complain! 🙂
Heather @ Join Us, Pull up a Chair
Oh I never would have thought to mix orange into chocolate chip cookies but I bet it’s delish. Great cooking with you this month!
Jane Bonacci
Isn’t Sarah brilliant! The orange really enhances both the chocolate and the cookie dough. It is such fun to cook with you too! 🙂
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Welcome to Group C – it’s so fun learning about new bloggers and your photos are totally enticing – I love chocolate and orange together – a rather magical combination 🙂
Jane Bonacci
Thanks Deanna, I’m tickled to be part of Group C! And thank you for your kind words – I love taking photos and creating (hopefully) mouthwatering images. There is nothing better than chocolate and orange – unless it is bacon, LOL!
April
I’ve never mixed chocolate and fruit flavors in a cookie before, but you made them sound and look absolutely delicious. I’ll have to experiment with that flavor combo soon. Super glad to be in the same group as you Jane, now I don’t feel like the only new kid on the block. 🙂
Jane Bonacci
It is great to be a newbie with you April! 🙂 Chocolate and orange go together beautifully!
Heather
Jane- Welcome to group C! So nice to have you here with us 🙂 love the sound of this cookie recipe, as the flavors seem nice and light. I’ve never made orange flavors in a cookie before but I think the chocolate and the orange together would be delicious!
Jane Bonacci
Thanks Heather! I love getting to know a whole new group of fantastic bloggers! I hope you give these cookies a try – they are really wonderful. I’m nibbling on them now, LOL.