Orange & Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cookies

June 25, 2014

orange + dark chocolate olive oil cookies | une gamine dans la cuisine

'I just want you to know,' said the girl coldly, 'that whoever you are and whatever you intend with me, I shall give you no aid of any kind, nor shall I assist you, and I shall do whatever is in my power to frustrate your plans and devices.' And then she added, with feeling, 'Idiot.' 

~ Neil Gaiman, Stardust
I have had a tiny (envious) rapport with these cookies. Like me, they're contrary, idiosyncratic and slightly wicked; yet beneath a poised nonchalance they are heartbreakly tender - longing only to be harbingers of unexpected pleasure and quicksilver pearls of laughter. Our similarities end with a sigh. Unlike me and my pale-skinny arms, struggling to haul background boards from room to room, these cookies are sexy and stacked (I'm *almost* jealous!).

My methods are fragile; blown glass in midwinter, intentions that begin their journey with the surety of an arrow shot from Robin Hood's bow, slip through abandoned branches and land soundlessly on dandelions. These cookies, however, are intrepid. Their aim always true, ever sure, never second guessing. Had I the same amount of reckless abandon...Perhaps...possibly...maybe...?


orange + dark chocolate olive oil cookies | une gamine dans la cuisine


In this instance, chocolate on chocolate is splendid. The orange zest and sea salt temper the chocolate and keep it on a sensual leash, whilst olive oil keeps everything earthy and grounded.

I made this recipe on a humid afternoon in a sweltering kitchen on a stormy Thursday. I don't know if tropic conditions made the cookies extra soft & agonizingly irresistible but no one could resist inhaling the entire batch in less than an hour. I did manage to stash two cookies in the vegetable bin (thank you, cumbersome cumbers!). Even chilled and mellow, the cookies were a savage chocolate-laced experience. One of The best cookie recipes so far. (After the rosemary Hiddles, of course.) Oh, Tom.


orange + dark chocolate olive oil cookies | une gamine dans la cuisine


Orange & Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cookies
makes about 16-18 cookies

ingredients
grated zest of one medium orange
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking Soda
1 Tablespoon hot brewed coffee (or hot water)
1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
2 room temperature eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups bittersweet (or semi-sweet) chocolate chips
Sea salt; for garnish

method
In stand mixer bowl, combine orange zest and sugar; use your fingertips to rub zest into sugar until moist and aromatic - set bowl aside for a few minutes.

In a separate small bowl, combine the baking soda and hot coffee. Mix soda into coffee until dissolved; set aside. 

Add olive oil to orange-sugar mixture. With the paddle attachment, beat on med-high speed until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating for about one minute after each addition. Add flour, cocoa, and salt; beat on med-low speed until dough thickens (it should have the consistency of a loose brownie batter).

Add baking soda-coffee mixture and vanilla extract. Beat on med-high speed until combined. Switch to a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon and stir in chocolate chips.

Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least three hours (or overnight). Note: because the dough is a bit messy, and to save myself some time, I *measured out the cookies after allowing dough to chill for five hours. I left the un-baked cookies, covered, in fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

For each cookie, measure out a *heaping Tablespoonful of dough. Arrange cookies on prepared sheet, allowing for about 2-inches of space between each one. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are set. {Note: it's difficult to tell when the cookies are ready. Mine were slightly, albeit pleasantly, underbaked after 10 minutes. 12 minutes seemed to be just right for my finicky oven.}

Remove sheets from oven and cool completely before transferring cookies to cooling rack.

 adapted from Butterlust

22 comments:

  1. Yes!!! The flavors here do put the chocolate in these cookies on a sensual leash. I can't even begin to imagine how delicious these sound and look. Lovely work.

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  2. These look great! I always bake my cookies without butter, as I am lactose intolerant, and I love to see new recipes lactose-free!

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  3. Oh these are beautiful Valerie, such stunning images and words.

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  4. www.foodismytherapy.comJune 25, 2014 at 11:21 AM

    I have to try these. They look incredible. I also have to say I love any woman who begins a post with a quote from Neil Gaiman.

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  5. Fabulous and absolutely decadent! Wonderful flavors. I'm drooling now...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  6. Orange and chocolate are a perfect combination. Somewhat like a certain blogger and … perhaps F. Scott Fitzgerald?

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  7. I adore your way with words, and cookies. Especially these.. Gorgeous Valerie!

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  8. Yes please to chocolate on chocolate, I'll take a half dozen! The sea salt is brill, as always!

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  9. @Lucia: a deliciously daring theory! :D

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  10. I love the idea of making cookies with olive oil - these look amazing!

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  11. These cookies look so luscious and chunky! Yum, must bake. Love the photos :)

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  12. Oooh, your writing, Valerie. You could stop baking altogether and I would still come to read your words. Although, with cookies like this...please don't stop baking either. xoxo

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  13. I need these, right now, for breakfast. Can we make that happen??? ;D

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  14. You have the best posts - love your writing style and voice. These cookies look like they would melt in your mouth and with the hint of salt - that is perfection!!

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  15. 2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips?! My kind of recipe. Love the combo of orange and chocolate. So chic and rustic :)

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  16. Is that dutch-processed cocoa you used or natural?

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  17. @Anon: Natural cocoa powder; the Ghirardelli bag I used didn't specify but I'm 99% sure it's not dutch-process. :)

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  18. Just baked a batch of these cookies the other day and everyone loved them. The orange flavour really comes through with the zest, and pairs so well with the dark chocolate. The hint of sea salt is the best finishing touch!

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  19. Oo also forgot to mention: I used orange flavoured chocolate chunks to enhance the orange flavour, check out fair trade choco Camino :)

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    1. Thank you, Ariane! Orange-kissed chocolate chunks!! (Something I'd enjoy straight out of the bag.) :D

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  20. I've made these twice now -- they're absolutely one of my favorites! Made them today for a holiday gathering, but used dark cocoa powder and they turned out even more amazing (:

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for letting me know, Caroline! I forgot about this recipe...maybe I'll toss a batch together for tomorrow (with dark cocoa)! xoxo

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Thanks for visiting, and for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
If you have a recipe comment or question, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Baking!
♥ Valerie

 

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