Yields 45 Cookies.
- Prep time: 20min + chilling time
- Cook time: 15min
- Total time: 35min
- Difficulty: Basic
It is critical that you do not overbake these cookies. They can become bitter, and the candied orange peel can harden. So keep an eye on them while they’re baking. The cookies are still a little soft while hot and can fall apart between your fingers. They will firm up once they have cooled.
Ingredients:
- 250g flour
- 50g cocoa powder
- 230g butter, at room temperature
- 120g powdered sugar
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (or orange juice)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 50g candied orange peel, chopped
- 30g dark chocolate chips
Directions
Set aside the flour and cocoa powder. Cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the salt, Grand Marnier, and orange zest. Mix in the candied peel and chocolate chips.
Form the dough into a ball and divide it in half. Roll each piece of dough into a 3cm-diameter log. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Two baking sheets should be lined with parchment paper. Cut the dough into 6mm thick disks with a sharp knife. Place the disks on baking sheets, leaving enough space between them because the cookies will spread during baking.
Bake at 180°C for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies are still a little soft while hot and can fall apart between your fingers. They firm up after cooling.
Put the cookies in an airtight container. They can be kept for three weeks.
Commentary.
Also known as Keksi Od Čokolade I Naranče.
My favorite time of year is the last few days before Christmas. It’s the time of year when I can escape to my happy place, be creative, and simply bake. The soothing aroma of chocolate combined with warm winter spices fills me with contentment.
Even when I don’t have as much time as I would like, I enjoy holiday baking. Instead of being stressed, I choose simple and very basic recipes that I simply pimp up a little and try to make my own. Shortbread cookies are ideal for this.
My favorite shortbread recipe served as the inspiration for these chocolate cookies. I wanted to make a cookie with a strong chocolate flavor, so I modified the recipe by substituting powdered cocoa for some of the flour. I also mixed in some chocolate chips to get that rich chocolatey flavor I’d been craving.
Because chocolate and orange go so well together, I decided to include candied orange peel in the cookies. The fresh zing of oranges contrasts beautifully with the richness of dark chocolate. These cookies are absolutely delicious. The best part is that they’re super simple and quick to make.