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Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies

These shortbread cookies perfectly blend rich chocolate and zesty orange for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that's perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 35 cookies
Course: Dessert, Sweet Treat
Cuisine: American, Baking
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the cookie dough
  • 16 tablespoons 16 tablespoons (220 grams) salted butter Make sure it's at room temperature; if using unsalted butter, add an extra ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.
  • 3/4 cup 3/4 cup (88 grams) powdered sugar
  • 2 large 2 large oranges, zested Use only the zest for maximum flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt If you used unsalted butter, add an extra ½ teaspoon of kosher salt here.
  • 1 cup 1 cup (145 grams) chopped dark chocolate Must be finely chopped into small 1/8-inch pieces; mini chocolate chips work too.

Method
 

Mixing the Batter
  1. In a medium bowl, combine butter, orange zest, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Combining Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, mix together flour and kosher salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix until the dough appears shaggy.
Adding Chocolate
  1. Gently fold in chopped dark chocolate until well combined, forming a cohesive dough.
Chilling the Dough
  1. Place half of the dough on plastic wrap and shape it into an 8-inch log. Repeat with the remaining dough. Wrap tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Prepping for Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove logs from the refrigerator and slice into ⅓-inch discs.
Baking
  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange cookie discs. Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for a minute before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the shape of the cookies. Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate for up to two weeks.