• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Frosting
    • Fruit Desserts
    • Muffins
    • One Bowl Desserts
    • Pies & Tarts
  • About Me
  • Food Photography
    • Work with Me
    • Classes and Workshops
  • Shop

Frosting & Fettuccine

Home » Recipe Search » Cookies

Dec 20, 2018(last updated November 21, 2022)

Dark Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies

3.45 from 9 votes
BySam Adler
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Chocolate orange shortbread cookies displayed on parchment paper.

This post might have affiliate links, please check out my full disclosure policy.

These chocolate orange shortbread cookies melt in your mouth and are made with only a few simple ingredients. They are infused with orange flavor, then drizzled with melted dark chocolate and sprinkled with more orange zest. They make a delicious holiday cookie everyone will love!

A closeup shot of a chocolate cookie on a white speckled plate.

These dark chocolate orange cookies literally melt in your mouth! They have that light and airy feeling like a classic shortbread recipe that is just irresistible.

In pastry school I had a chef instructor that turned me on to the classic combo of chocolate and orange. The depth of the chocolate combined with the brightness of the orange is a flavor contrast made in heaven! If you are wondering, white chocolate works well too in these chewy orange cookies!

These shortbread cookies are made quickly with only a few simple ingredients. We love making them especially around the holidays, and they make a great cookie to add to a cookie gift box!

You can make them in any shape you want, here I went with classic circles. To make them stand out even more they are drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled with more orange zest.

If you love making cookies for the holidays definitely try these cranberry orange shortbread cookies– they are delicious too! These thin and crispy Gingersnaps are also not to be missed, and you wouldn’t want to go one year without these double chocolate peppermint cookies!

What you will love these cookies

  • They are so light from the use of powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar.
  • You can make them into any fun holiday shape you want.
  • They literally melt in your mouth!

Ingredients you need

Ingredients for chocolate orange cookies.
  • Butter- Unsalted butter is used in these cookies so we can control the amount of salt added. The butter needs to be soft to cream easily with the sugar. Learn how to soften butter quickly!
  • Powdered Sugar– Powdered sugar is used to give the cookie a light, airy, and melt in your mouth feel. Granulated sugar would not have the same effect because it is more granulated and not powdery.
  • 1 large Orange– The orange zest is mixed into the batter and then as a garnish for the cookie to infuse the flavor.
  • Flour– All purpose flour is used to provide bulk to the cookie and help shape it.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder– This aids the flour in building bulk but also gives the cookie it’s dark chocolate flavor.
  • Kosher Salt– Kosher salt brings out the flavors in the cookie
  • Dark Chocolate– Melted dark chocolate is used as a garnish over the baked cookies.

How to make dark chocolate orange cookies

Cream– Cream the butter, powdered sugar, and orange zest together in the bowl of a hand or stand mixer, or with a wooden spoon in a big bowl. The powdered sugar is what makes the cookies light and airy.

Add dry ingredients- Add the flour, cocoa powder, and kosher salt and mix to combine into a uniform dough. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by either using a kitchen scale or spoon and scoop it into your measuring cup. If you end up with too much, the cookies will be dry.

Shape- Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Roll and cut– Once the dough has chilled, roll it out to 1/4″ thickness between 2 pieces of parchment paper and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.. The cutter I used is a 2 1/2″ round cutter. Repeat with the scraps.

Bake- Place the cookies on a parchment lined sheet tray or cookie sheet and bake for 11- 12 minutes.

Garnish– Cool the cookies, then melt the dark chocolate in the microwave (30 seconds at a time until melted) and drizzle on the diagonal. Top with extra orange zest to make it look pretty.

Butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.
Add the butter, sugar, and zest to a bowl.
Creamed mixtured of butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Chocolate cookie dough in a stainless steel mixing bowl.
Add the dry ingredients to form a dough.
A disk of chocolate cookie dough.
Shape the dough into a disk to chill.
Chocolate cookie dough rolled out on a piece of parchment paper.
Roll out the cookie dough.
Chocolate cookie dough slices on a sheet tray.
Cut the dough into shapes.
Chocolate shortbread rounds on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake the cookies.

Cookie making tips

Keep the dough cold- If you find that the cookie dough is hard to cut out or move to the baking tray, put the dough in the fridge for 5-10 more minutes to firm up. You can also put the cookies in the fridge for a few minutes before baking too.

Use any cutter- Use any size cookie cutter you like but remember that the yield of these cookies will be smaller with a larger cutter.

No spread– The cookies should be chilled properly and therefore not spread a lot.

Measure your flour correctly– Measuring your flour correctly is really important because if you add too much flour , your cookies will be dry. The best way to measure them is with a kitchen scale. If you want to use measuring cups, make sure to spoon flour into the cup, then level it off. Never scoop flour with a cup because you”ll end up with too much flour.

Chocolate cookies on 2 white plates .

Recipe FAQ

Can I use regular sugar with this recipe? No I don’t recommend it. The reason why these cookies are light and airy and called shortbread is that they use powdered sugar and not granulated sugar.

Can I double the recipe? Sure! No problem at all just I would recommend you split the cookie dough into two disks before chilling to make it easier to roll out.

Can I make these ahead? You sure can! You can make the cookie dough and then freeze it. Or you can make the cookies (dont garnish them) and freeze them already baked. Garnish them the day you want to serve them.

Storing and freezing instructions

Storing– Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.

Freezing- You can either freeze the cookie dough, or freeze the already made cookies.

To freeze the cookie dough, wrap the dough in parchment paper and then place in a freezer safe zip top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To freeze already baked cookies, leave off the drizzled chocolate and orange zest topping and place the cookies in a freezer safe zip top bag. Try to squeeze as much air out of it without damaging the cookies. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost on the counter, and then top with melted dark chocolate and orange zest.

Variations

  • Drizzle with white chocolate instead
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped nuts to the batter
  • Sandwich these cookies between chocolate frosting.

More delicious cookie recipes

  • Quick Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
  • Thin & Crispy Gingersnap Cookies
  • Crispy and Chewy Orange Cookies
  • Crispy and Chewy Coconut Cookies

A closeup shot of a chocolate cookie on a white speckled plate.

Dark Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies

These chocolate orange shortbread cookies melt in your mouth and are made with only a few simple ingredients. They are infused with orange flavor, then drizzled with melted dark chocolate and sprinkled with more orange zest. They make a delicious holiday cookie everyone will love!
3.45 from 9 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Diet: Kosher
Keyword: chocolate orange, chocolate orange cookies, chocolate orange shortbread, chocolate orange shortbread cookies, chocolate shortbread, holiday cookie
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Servings: 16 cookies
Calories: 148kcal
Author: Sam Adler

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp orange zest plus 1/2 tbsp more for garnish
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 ounces dark chocolate melted, for drizzling over baked cookies
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 tbsp orange zest, and beat on low-medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
    Creamed mixtured of butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.
  • Add the 1 cup flour, 1/3 cocoa powder, and 1/2 tsp salt, and mix until a dough forms about 1 minute. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap in parchment paper. Chill for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
    A disk of chocolate cookie dough.
  • Prepare 2 sheet trays with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 325° F.
  • Roll out the chilled dough into ¼’’ thickness between 2 pieces of parchment paper and using a 2-3 inch cookie cutter, cut out the cookies.
    Chocolate cookie dough rolled out on a piece of parchment paper.
  • Place the cookies on the sheet tray and bake for 11-12 minutes. If the cookies are hard to peel off, chill them for a few more minutes before transferring to the baking sheet.
    Chocolate cookie dough slices on a sheet tray.
  • Cool the cookies. Melt the 4 oz dark chocolate in a small microwaveable bowl, about 30 seconds at a time until fully melted. Drizzle on the cookies and sprinkle with more orange zest.
    Chocolate cookies on 2 white plates .

Video

https://youtu.be/JwfO25z8BVM

Notes

Keep the dough cold to make it easier for the cookies to be cut out and lifted onto the baking sheet.
 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Dark Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 148 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 39mg2%
Potassium 86mg2%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 177IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I love when you share my recipes!!

1730 shares

Filed Under: Cookies Tagged With: Chocolate

About Sam Adler

Sam Adler is a Le Cordon Bleu professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger over on FrostingandFettuccine.com. She has been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, Saveur Magazine, The Feed Feed, and Food Blogger Pro. Sam lives in Hollywood florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog. When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    February 13, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    Sooo good and so easy to follow! The flavor was on point and I made them into little candy cane shapes for my Christmas cookie gift boxes (which featured 5 of Sam’s other recipes!). Chocolate oranges are one of my favorite Christmastime treats and these cookies nailed it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Sam says

      February 18, 2020 at 9:59 am

      I loved your candy cane versions!! They looked so cute!!!!! I am so happy you loved them!!!

      Reply
  2. Irena Rajnpreht says

    December 23, 2021 at 6:49 am

    5 stars
    Hi Sam,

    I made these cookies for the first time and liked them so much that I will be giving them out as Christmas presents. I made them in a heart shape and they look and taste sooo lovely!
    Recipe is really easy to follow. I expected it would be a bit tricky making it for the first time, but it wasn’t. The only thing I was struggling with was the first freezing step, dough froze completely so I had to wait, but everything else went very well.
    I made so many of your recipes and each one is better than other, all of the instructions are easy to follow and everything is so delicious!
    Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

Do you love this recipe? If so, I would be so grateful if you left a star rating with your comment! Star ratings help other people find my recipes so they can make them too. Thank you for your support!

XO, Sam

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search

Hi! Im Sam Adler,

I'm a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer.
This is a place where you will find easy yet impressive looking desserts. I also share a ton of food photography resources too! What can I say, I love pretty & delicious baked goods! Learn more about me!

As Featured In:

Logo images of media places Sam Adler has been featured in
Saveur Blog award winner for best food Instagram

samadlerphotography

👋🏻 2022! Will be celebrating this year on th 👋🏻 2022! Will be celebrating this year on the couch with this in my lap. No sharing allowed! Those 3 spoons are all mine 😂😂 

🍾🥂HAPPY NEW YEAR 🍾🥂
.
.
.
#newyearseve #2023goals #cookieskillet #skilletcookie #giantchocolatechipcookie #chocolatechipcookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookiephotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstylingandphotography #foodphotographer #foodstylist #foodstylists #castironbaking #castironskillet #castiron @lodgecastiron
Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @ta Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @taylorswift theme has got to be my fave (see my last reel for the explanation of each cookie!) but I have so much fun every year making these! Which one is your fave?! 

#cookieboxes #cookiebox #cookiegifts #cookiegiftbox #holidaycookies #taylorswift #TaylorSwiftcookies #homemadecookies #customcookies #cookiedecorating #cookiesofinstagram #cookiedesign #cookiephotography #holidaycookiebox #holidaygiftsets #holidaygifts #ediblegifts #swiftie #swiftiesforever #taylornation @taylornation
ARE YOU READY FOR IT?! 2022 Cookie Box is @taylors ARE YOU READY FOR IT?! 2022 Cookie Box is @taylorswift themed!! 
1. “Like a rainbow with all of the colors” sprinkle cookies 
2. “Lover” heart sugar cookies 
3. “Lavender Haze” shortbread (made with lavender and a pearly shimmer powder)
4. “Midnight” cookies AKA my chocolate brownie cookies 
5. “Red lip classic” sugar cookies 
6. More midnight cookies- (dusted with powdered sugar to look like the midnight cloudy sky)
7. “Bejeweled” sugar cookies (Navy bc black fondant was out of stock)
8. @taylorswift famous chai cookies 

Merry Christmas if you’re celebrating and hope you have a happy New Year’s Day!
.
.
.

#cookiebox #taylorswift #taylorswiftcookies #holidaycookiebox #swifties #swiftie #swiftieforever #holidaycookies #cookieseason #cookiedecorating #cookiebox #cookieboxes #taylorswiftlover #taylorswiftlyrics #taylorswiftvideo #sugarcookies #shortbread #browniecookies #christmascookies #christmascookiebox #lavenderhaze
#ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up #ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up from classic sufganiyot to make these fun donut fries! Puffy, golden, and delicious, dip your “fries” into melted chocolate or raspberry jelly and celebrate all week long! @aldiusa makes it super easy with their amazing selection of high quality products at seriously unimaginable prices. Run to your nearest @aldiusa to find all the ingredients you need to make these and have a Happy Chanukah!
Find the recipe below!

#ALDILove
Prep time: 1 hr 45 mins
Cook time: 1 min
Yield: 40 donut fries
2 pack Baker’s Corner Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup Sugar
2 Simply Nature Grade A Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs
2 tbsp Stonemill Pure Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup Carlini Pure Vegetable Oil
5-6 cups Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Kosher salt
½ cup Baker’s Corner Powdered Sugar
For Dipping:
1 cup Baker’s Corner Dark or Milk Chocolate Morsels
Simply Nature Organic Raspberry Preserves
Method:
•Mix the yeast with water in a mixer bowl and let stand for 10 mins until frothy. Add the
sugar, eggs, vanilla, and oil to the bowl and mix until well combined.
•Start adding only 5 cups of flour and salt, and knead/mix on medium speed in a stand mixer
fitted with the dough attachment for 5 minutes until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. If the
dough seems sticky, add ¼ cup flour to the dough until it no longer sticks to the bowl when
mixing.
•Let the dough rest in the bowl for an hour to double in size. 
•Punch down the dough and remove it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Using a
lightly floured rolling pin, roll it out into a rectangle. About 18”x 15” and 1/2 of an inch in
thickness. 
•Using a pizza cutter, cut in half vertically. Then slice thin strips horizontally. You want them
thin as they will puff up while frying.
•Let the fries rest for another 15 mins. 
•Meanwhile, using a deep fryer or a large pot, heat your oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the donut
fries 30 seconds per side, then drain on a paper towel.
•Dust the donut fries with powdered sugar and set aside.
•Microwave 1 cup of dark or milk chocolate for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Scoop
jelly into another bowl. Dip the fries in the chocolate or jelly!
Happy birthday @taylorswift 👸🏼 hope it feels Happy birthday @taylorswift 👸🏼 hope it feels like a perfect night and you’re not weepin in a party bathroom. IYKYK
.
.
Also here’s to wishing me getting those tix!
.
.
.
#swiftie #swifties #happybirthday #taylorswift #taylorswifttickets #birthdaycake #birthdaycakes #birthdaycandles #caramelcake #carameldripcake #caramelbirthdaycake #cakephotography #cakephotography📷 #cakedecorating #cakedesign #cakesofinstagram #cakepic #cakepictures
I sure do like these gingersnap cookies babe 😂 I sure do like these gingersnap cookies babe 😂 

.
.
.
#gingersnaps #gingersnapcookies #gingersnap #christmascookies #christmascookie #holidaycookies #holidaycookie #cookierecipes #tinyhands #holidaybaking #cookieseason  #cookiesofinstagram #cookiegram #cookielover
Load more please Follow me on Instagram!

Categories

Archives

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Web Stories
  • Privacy Policy

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure Policy

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

Copyright © 2023 Samantha Adler | Frosting & Fettuccine | Support by Foodie Digital

1730 shares