More Christmas Cookies! Dark Chocolate and Orange Butter Cookies

I’ve been in love with dark chocolate for more than 10 years. I think it happened when Eric surprised me with a birthday trip to the Chocolate Festival at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. It is an evening of all things chocolate. That was where my first real tasting of quality dark chocolate happened. I am now devoted to it. It is the only kind of chocolate I will eat. I’m a serious chocoholic, but I can turn down milk chocolate without a second thought since devoting my life to the dark version.

Dark chocolate and orange is a classic combination. I was introduced to this particular pairing when Eric starting feeding my dark chocolate addiction by putting a Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange Ball in my Christmas stocking very many years ago. When I found the dark chocolate and orange combination in cookie form, I had to try it. And, I must say, it lived up to all my expectations!

Dark Chocolate and Orange Butter Cookies (adapted from smithfield.com)

Makes about 36 cookies

kcamera (21)Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1  egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4  Confectioners sugar for dusting

 

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter until it is fluffy then add the sugar and mix until it is well combined. Add in the egg yolk and orange extract, mixing well.

Mixing thoroughly is key with cookie dough.

Mixing thoroughly is key with cookie dough.

Beat the ingredients on medium speed until they are fluffy. Add in the cocoa powder until well incorporated, then add in the flour, mixing thoroughly.

The dough is ready to be shaped & baked!

The dough is ready to be shaped & baked!

Preheat the oven to 375°. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on a greased or Silpat mat covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until they look dry.

I prefer the reusable Silpat mats to greasing cookie sheets.

I prefer the reusable Silpat mats to greasing cookie sheets.

Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. When they are cooled, roll each cookie in confectioners sugar. Store them in an airtight container.

Hard to resist the taste duo of intense chocolate and orange!

Hard to resist the taste duo of intense chocolate and orange!

These don’t last very long around here!  ~Linda

 

Dark Chocolate and Orange Butter Cookies (adapted from smithfield.com)

Makes about 36 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1  egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4  Confectioners sugar for dusting

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter until it is fluffy then add the sugar and mix until it is well combined. Add in the egg yolk and orange extract, mixing well. Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add in the cocoa powder until well incorporated, then add in the flour, mixing thoroughly.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on a greased or Silpat mat covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until they look dry. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. When they are cooled, roll each cookie in confectioners sugar. Store them in an airtight container.