Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Recipe That Pops with Flavor

Sweet orange chocolate chip shortbread tempts with its delightful blend of citrusy brightness and rich, buttery texture.

Traditional Scottish-style cookies gain a zesty twist through carefully balanced ingredients.

Vibrant orange zest creates an unexpected depth of flavor that converts an ordinary shortbread into something extraordinary.

Crisp edges and tender crumb promise a delectable experience for serious cookie enthusiasts.

Subtle hints of warmth and sweetness dance across your palate with each carefully crafted bite.

These cookies strike a perfect harmony between classic comfort and innovative taste profiles.

Crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth magic awaits those seeking a sophisticated yet approachable dessert companion.

Why Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Is a Must-Try

• Burst with Citrusy Delight: These shortbread cookies explode with bright, zesty orange flavor that dances on your taste buds, creating a refreshing twist on traditional shortbread.
• Texture Perfection: Enjoy a melt-in-your-mouth buttery crumb paired with delightful chocolate chip crunch, offering a satisfying contrast that makes each bite interesting and indulgent.
• Quick Weekend Treat: Whip up these elegant cookies in under an hour, making them an ideal last-minute dessert for unexpected guests or a spontaneous sweet craving without complex baking skills.

Ingredients for Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the shortbread, providing structure and texture to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the shortbread.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, crumbly texture.
• Orange Zest: Provides a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor to the shortbread.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, buttery base and helps bind the ingredients together, choose high-quality, room temperature butter for best results.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds sweet chocolate bursts throughout the shortbread, creating delightful pockets of flavor.

How to Make Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Blend flour and salt in a small bowl, then set aside for later mixing.

Step 2: Create Fragrant Sugar Base

In mixer bowl, combine sugar and orange zest. Use spoon to press and mix until sugar becomes aromatic and slightly moist.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Add softened butter and vanilla extract to sugar mixture. Mix on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Dough

Gradually incorporate flour mixture into wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips

Gently fold mini chocolate chips into the dough, distributing evenly.

Step 6: Shape and Chill Dough

Form dough into a flat disc. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 8: Roll and Cut Cookies

Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Use 2-inch cookie cutter to create uniform cookies.

Step 9: Final Chilling

Place cut cookies on baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes to prevent spreading during baking.

Step 10: Bake Cookies

Bake for 25-28 minutes until cookie bottoms turn golden brown.

Step 11: Cool and Serve

Transfer cookies to wire rack. Allow complete cooling before serving or storing.

Tips for Perfect Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

• Massage Zest Deeply: Thoroughly work orange zest into sugar to release maximum citrus oils and enhance flavor complexity.
• Chill Strategically: Refrigerate dough twice – first as a disc, then as cut cookies – to prevent spreading and maintain crisp shortbread shape.
• Handle Gently: Mix ingredients minimally to keep shortbread tender and avoid developing tough gluten networks.
• Choose Quality Chocolate: Select high-quality mini chocolate chips for rich, balanced flavor throughout each delicate cookie.
• Roll with Precision: Use consistent ½-inch thickness to ensure even baking and uniform, professional-looking shortbread cookies.

Storing and Reheating Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store cooled shortbread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crisp texture for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freezing Method: Carefully stack cookies between wax paper layers inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months to preserve their delightful orange and chocolate flavor.
• Reheating Tip: Allow frozen cookies to thaw naturally at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy the cookies at their best – crisp, buttery, and bursting with citrusy chocolate goodness.

Pairing Ideas for Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

• Brew Citrusy Coffee Companion: Pair these orange chocolate chip shortbread cookies with a light, bright espresso or cold brew coffee to enhance the orange zest's vibrant notes and complement the rich chocolate chips.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: Serve alongside a sweet moscato or orange muscat wine, which will highlight the cookie's citrus undertones and create a luxurious dessert experience.
• Create Creamy Contrast: Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the shortbread's buttery texture and add a smooth, cool element to each bite.
• Chocolate Lover's Milk Match: Serve with a cold glass of whole milk or a creamy chocolate milk to amplify the chocolate chip's richness and provide a classic, comforting pairing.

Flavor Variations of Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

• Lemon Lavender Shortbread: Swap orange zest with fresh lemon zest and add dried lavender buds for a floral, citrusy flavor profile that brings elegant notes to the classic shortbread.
• Dark Chocolate Almond Shortbread: Replace mini chocolate chips with chopped dark chocolate and add crushed almonds for a rich, nutty texture that complements the buttery base.
• Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread: Incorporate finely chopped fresh rosemary into the dough and sprinkle coarse sea salt on top before baking, creating a savory-sweet combination that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Ginger Cardamom Shortbread: Mix ground ginger and cardamom into the flour mixture, adding warmth and complexity to the shortbread while maintaining its delicate crumbly texture.

Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich orange chocolate chip shortbread cookies bring Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen. Crisp buttery edges and zesty citrus notes create a delightful companion for afternoon tea or coffee moments you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.75 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (100 grams) sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 5 teaspoons orange zest (approximately zest from 2 large oranges)
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 cup (45 grams) semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Seasoning:

• 0.125 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk together all-purpose flour and salt in a compact mixing vessel, then reserve to the side.
2. In a stand mixer bowl, amalgamate granulated sugar with freshly grated orange zest, using the back of a spoon to thoroughly massage the ingredients until the sugar becomes aromatic and slightly damp.
3. Incorporate room temperature unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, blending on low speed for approximately 60 seconds until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Methodically introduce the prepared flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix the dough.
5. Delicately fold miniature chocolate chips into the shortbread mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
6. Shape the cookie dough into a compact, flat disc and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
7. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning a rack in the center of the cooking chamber.
8. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to a precise 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) thickness, then utilize a 2-inch (5.08 centimeters) round cookie cutter to create uniform circular shapes.
9. Arrange the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then briefly freeze for 10 minutes to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
10. Bake the shortbread for 25-28 minutes, monitoring until the bottom edges turn a golden amber color and the tops remain pale.
11. Transfer the baked cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach complete room temperature before serving or storing.

Notes

• Zest Matters: Massaging orange zest into sugar releases intense citrus oils, creating a more vibrant flavor profile for the shortbread.
• Butter Texture: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect crumbly, tender shortbread consistency.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the dough twice prevents spreading and helps maintain the cookies’ crisp shape during baking.
• Chocolate Distribution: Gently fold chocolate chips to prevent overmixing and ensure even chocolate spread throughout the cookies.
• Golden Brown Indicator: Watch for golden brown bottoms as the key sign of perfectly baked shortbread, which ensures a crisp texture.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking, making it perfect for meal prep.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish-British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg