So it’s been a minute since my last post. I was supposed to publish a recipe last weekend but there have been some technical difficulties with the photos and film for that recipe, so for the time being I’m just going to put that on the back burner. In all likelihood I’m going to have to re film and photograph that post so I’m just going to save that for when I have more time.
But for now we have this recipe, which I think is my favorite for this month. This is a very simple recipe, but one that’s sure to become a new favorite. I feel like now is the perfect time of year for this kind of recipe because we’re starting to transition from winter to spring. Orange is technically in season in the colder part of the year, but people often associate it with summer. Plus pairing it with chocolate and ginger makes this an even better early spring kind of recipe.
I have to say though, I really have no clue what to expect weather wise these days. Last week it snowed and then a few days later is was 80 degrees? Trying to pair recipes with the weather is impossible when things like that happen. But anyway, the point is that this recipe is delicious no matter when you make it.
Describe this Recipe to Me
Taste: These taste like a classic chocolate chip cookie with a twist. They still have that classic balance of bittersweet chocolate and sweet and buttery vanilla, but the orange and ginger add this brightness to the cookie that is just delicious.
Texture: When served warm, the outsides of these cookies are perfectly crisp but a little gooey on the inside. Then you have the melty puddles of chocolate and chewy pieces of ginger which compliment the rest of the textures beautifully.
Ease: These cookies are just as quick and easy to throw together as your classic chocolate chip cookie. This is a one bowl, no mixer, no chill recipe so it comes together super quickly, plus there’s no complicated shaping or any other extra steps.
The Dough
This is a very simple and classic dough. It starts with granulated sugar and orange zest. When working with orange, I always rub the zest with the sugar instead of just mixing it in later. This allows the zest to release its flavorful oils, giving these cookies an even orange flavor. Then we add in a little brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder and soda, and a pinch of salt. Essentially, all the kitchen staples. Then we toss in the chocolate and ginger, roll, and bake!
The Ginger
I debated whether or not to add ginger to these cookies for a while but in the end I decided it would be a good edition to these cookies to give them a new level of flavor that ties together the chocolate and orange. The ginger is very subtle, and doesn’t really appear as it’s own flavor but rather brings out the background notes of the orange and chocolate.
Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use your hands to rub together the orange zest and granulated sugar. This releases the oils in the orange zest and brings out more of the flavor. Add the brown sugar and melted butter and whisk until smooth and combined. Whisk in the vanilla and egg until smooth and the mixture turns slightly pale. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and use a large rubber spatula to fold the dough together. Add the chopped crystalized ginger and chocolate chips and fold them in until evenly distributed. The dough will thicken up when you add these in, and more as it sits. Let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes before scooping.
- Using a large cookie scoop, shape the dough into balls, about 2 Tablespoons each. Place at least 2 inches apart on the previously prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until the cookies are slightly browned on the tops and sides. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before enjoying warm or letting cool completely on a wire rack. Cooled cookies last up to 5 days sealed in an airtight container at room temperature.