Orange Zest Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies: From Prep to Plate

• Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
• In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3–4 minutes and is key to achieving that tender texture.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. Your batter should be creamy and smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt throughout the dough.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing — this keeps the cookies tender and chewy.
• Gently fold in the zest of one orange and the dark chocolate chunks. The zest will infuse the dough with a beautiful citrus aroma, while the chocolate chunks offer melty pockets of richness.
• Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Optionally, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie for a sophisticated flavor boost.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet after you remove them from the oven, resulting in a chewy center.
• Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps them set perfectly and enhances the texture.