These orange cookies are a delightful combination of fresh citrus flavor and rich chocolate, making them a treat that everyone will love. With a tender, buttery dough infused with orange zest and juice, each cookie is light, fragrant, and perfectly balanced with sweetness. After baking, the cookies are topped with thin slices of fresh orange and dipped in smooth, melted chocolate for an irresistible finishing touch. Whether you're enjoying them with a cup of tea or serving them as a dessert at your next gathering, these cookies are sure to impress. The slight crunch from the chocolate and the refreshing taste of orange make this recipe an ideal choice for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity and flavor. The dough is easy to prepare, and the combination of citrus and chocolate creates a perfect harmony of tastes. The fresh orange slices on top not only add flavor but also make these cookies visually stunning, giving them a professional, bakery-like appearance. The buttery dough melts in your mouth, while the dipped chocolate adds a rich, smooth finish that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Plus, this recipe is highly customizable – you can swap the orange for other fruits or use dark, milk, or white chocolate depending on your preference. These cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Perfect Occasion:
These orange cookies are perfect for a wide variety of occasions. They make a fantastic addition to a holiday cookie platter, thanks to their bright color and decadent chocolate coating. If you're looking for something special to serve at a tea party or a casual get-together with friends, these cookies will definitely stand out. They also make for a lovely homemade gift, packaged in a decorative box or jar. Whether you’re baking for a festive celebration or just want to treat yourself, these cookies are a versatile, delightful option.
Decoration Tips:
To make these cookies look even more elegant, try adding a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, almonds, or hazelnuts to the chocolate while it’s still melted. The nuts will stick to the chocolate, adding a nice crunch and extra flavor. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate – use dark for a bold contrast with the orange, or white chocolate for a sweeter, milder flavor. To make the cookies shine even more, lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar before dipping them in the chocolate. If you’re feeling creative, you could drizzle extra chocolate over the cookies in thin lines for a sophisticated, decorative touch.
Ingredients
- 550g all-purpose flour (4 cups + 5 level tablespoons)
- 1 egg
- 1 packet baking powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Zest of 1 orange (grated)
- 125g butter, at room temperature (or margarine)
- 40g cornstarch (2 heaping tablespoons)
- 100ml orange juice (a little less than 1 small glass)
- 150g powdered sugar (1 small glass + 2 heaping tablespoons)
- 100ml vegetable oil (a little less than 1 small glass)
For the Topping
- 3 oranges (thinly sliced, almost transparent; pat dry with a towel to remove excess moisture)
- 150g chocolate (dark or milk, melted in a double boiler)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to make the chocolate smoother)
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dough ingredients: flour, egg, baking powder, vanilla, orange zest, butter, cornstarch, orange juice, powdered sugar, and vegetable oil. Knead the mixture until you have a smooth, soft dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- Once the dough has chilled, sprinkle some flour on your work surface and on the dough. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1.5 to 2 cm (not too thin or thick).
- Using a round cutter, cut out circles of dough. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place a thin slice of orange on top of each cookie. Make sure the oranges are as dry as possible to prevent moisture from softening the cookies.
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) with the fan on. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, melt the chocolate in a double boiler (add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the chocolate to keep it smooth and easy to work with).
- Once the cookies have cooled, dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with nuts like pistachios or almonds for extra flavor and texture.
- Allow the chocolate to harden before serving or storing the cookies.
Enjoy!
