CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE THUMBPRINT COOKIES
The best combination of flavors is chocolate and orange. I’m in love with it. I think orange is the perfect citrus flavor to combine with the creaminess of chocolate. In the blog you’ll find a lot of recipes with this combination of flavors. When I realized that I didn’t have a cookie with those flavors, I got my act together. As cookies are my favorite dessert in life, I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that my favorite dessert in the world are cookies. I love making them and of course, eating them. I’m going to tell you why they are my favorites. They are perfect for any time of day, you can eat them for breakfast, dessert, snack, whatever. No matter what flavor it is, cookies are perfect for any time of the day. Besides that, all the flavors and textures that you can put together with cookies. The possibilities are truly endless.
I could do a whole post about all the good things about cookies but today we are talking about these chocolate and orange thumbprint cookies. Before we continue with this beauty, I’ll link some of my favorite cookies that you can find in the blog.
PARTS OF THESE CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE THUMBPRINT COOKIES
Let’s start with our base, the cookie. We are going to combine the orange and chocolate flavors in our cookie base and make a classic chocolate ganache. So our base is a chocolate cookie with a hint of orange. That orange flavor is going to come from orange zest. So all the flavor of the orange without affecting the texture of the cookie. The texture of this cookie is pretty amazing. Super soft. Now, for the final touch, add a little bit of chocolate ganache in the center. That chocolate on top is going to give it the final incredible moisture touch. You will not be able to stop eating these cookies, I promise.
So, texture, check. Flavor, check. And the final look? I believe its a check as well. Let me know what you think.
TIPS FOR PERFECT COOKIES
Shaping the cookies: The first thing to do is shape the cookie into a ball. With your finger or a round teaspoon press in the middle until you shape the cookie. If you see some cracks on the sides you can carefully close them but don’t worry too much about it. Once out of the oven, very carefully because you have to do this while they’re hot, press that center again a little.
The ganache: To add the ganache in the middle, be sure to let it cool down a bit first. It doesn’t have to be too hot because it will be too liquid, nor too cold so that there are no marks in the chocolate when added to the cookie.
The orange flavor: Although you can add that flavor using the juice or artificial flavoring, it’s best to use orange zest. It’s ideal for these cookies. Remember to choose a large orange.
EQUIPMENT
Bowls: You’ll need at least a couple of bowls. One for the dry ingredients and another one to make the cookie dough in.
Kitchen scale: To weigh all the ingredients. Also get a few cup and tablespoon measures.
Grater: To get orange zest.
Saucepan: To make the chocolate ganache in.
Silicone spatula: You can use it for the ganache. for the cookie dough, etc. Anything really.
Small round spoon: To make the “thumbprint” in the center of the cookie. You can use a teaspoon or your finger.
Cookie sheet: Or a baking sheet to place the cookies in the oven.
Parchment paper: Or a silicone silpat. Both options are great for keeping your cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
CHOCOLATE ORANGE THUMBPRINT COOKIES
Ingredients
- 125 gr butter
- 100 gr sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 140 grs flour
- 35 gr cacao powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Zest from one orange
Ganache
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 100 gr semi sweet chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Add flour, cacao and salt to a bowl.
- In another bowl cream together butter and sugar.
- Add egg yolk and orange zest to the butter. Mix in.
- Add dry ingredients and mix in until you get a dough.
- Separate into 13 balls and place the cookies over parchment paper on a baking sheet. PRess down in the middle with your finder or teaspoon.
- Bake for around 12 minutes.
- Take it out of the oven and while still hot press down the middle slightly again. Let it cool completely.
- Add heavy cream to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until bubbles appear on the sides. Turn the heat off and add the chocolate. Mix until completely melted.
- Add ganache to the center of each cookie. Let them cool completely.
