chocolate plus orange equals bliss

it's somewhat of a strange combo, i'll admit. not nearly as classic as peanut butter and jelly. but citrus and chocolate is a match made in heaven. (i mean, what isn't good with chocolate, right?)

i mentioned this recipe earlier this week. my husband and i had the most delicious cookies ever at a local farmers market. i was determined to make these on my own. but how...orange juice? no, not strong enough and what would the liquid replace in the recipe? orange zest? yummy, but i didn't recall anything but smooth chocolate and chocolate chunks in the cookies. no bits of orange. the magic ingredient?

orange extract.

where have you been, orange extract? this one ingredient may transform some cooking and baking recipes.

it's as simple as this: i made a classic chocolate cookie recipe (the one on the back of Nestle's tollhouse white chocolate chips bag, slightly adapted) and exchanged vanilla extract with orange extract. how easy is that?

 

chocolate chocolate-chip orange cookies:

 

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp orange extract

2 large eggs

2 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 salt

2 cups dark chocolate chips

 

preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine dry ingredients in small bowl. beat butter, sugars, and orange extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. gradually beat in flour mixture. stir in chocolate chips. chill dough in refrigerator for at least one hour. drop dough onto baking sheets. bake for 8-9 minutes (cookies should still be a tad dough-y in the center) and remove immediately from cookie sheet. allow to cool on cooling rack. enjoy with a large glass of milk!

 

 

linking up with rachel because cookies are a favorite thing in this house!