Orange Chocolate Cut Out Cookies for a Friend
When I backed into her car (in my driveway!) last year, she apologized to me. As if that was somehow her fault. When we traveled to Colorado to house hunt, she added my 2 kids to her 3 for the weekend. And did it gladly.
She talked tv, blogging and photography with me. Tasted recipes. Guest posted. Bounced ideas for inspiration. Took her girls to story time at the library nearly every Monday with Madeline and me.
We are television and book nerds together. We are friends. And when we moved away she offered to take our family pictures as a parting gift. For free. Even when I asked her if I could pay her.
Today I’m sharing a recipe for Chocolate Orange Cut Out Cookies with you. Because what better thing to share with good friends than a plate of cookies? Even if we have to do it virtually.
These tasty chocolate orange cookies are stuffed with a creamy orange filling for a mouth watering Chocolate Orange Sandwich Cookie. Cut them out in any shape you desire for whatever holiday is on the calender at the moment.
But these aren’t just any cookies. I think you’ll want to take a closer look.
These Chocolate Orange Cut Out Cookies come with an extra special message from Allison‘s boyfriend Dan.
Yep. You read that right!
Don’t forget to BREATHE, Allison!
Or in Dan’s own words…
Someone want to pass Allison a tissue? I’m sure she needs one right about now.
If you haven’t already forgotten that there is a recipe for Chocolate Orange Sandwich Cookies in this post, here it is.
Orange Chocolate Cut Out Cookies
Today I’m sharing a recipe for Chocolate Orange Cut Out Cookies with you. Because what better thing to share with good friends than a plate of cookies?
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped & melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- zest of 2 oranges
For the Orange Cream:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 drops pure orange oil (alternatively use the zest of 1 - 2 oranges)
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 1/2 ounce soft cream cheese
- 1 - 4 teaspoons heavy cream
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Combine 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk to sift.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides. Add the sugar and beat 2 minutes more. Scrape down the sides again and add the egg and bittersweet chocolate. Beat for 1 more minute.
- Switch to the paddle mixing attachment. Add the vanilla, orange zest, and the flour mixture (1/2 a cup at a time). If the dough is too sticky, add an additional 1/4 cup of flour. Stir on low until incorporated.
- Divide the dough into two balls. Flatten into a disc. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours. Dough can be made up to 2 days in advance - just allow it to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling out.
- 1 disk at a time, roll the cookie dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/8 - 1/4-inch thickness depending on your personal preference. Put one sheet in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using 1 dough sheet, place on a work surface. Peel off the top parchment sheet. Cut out the cookies with the shape you prefer. If the dough gets too warm to work with, place the dough in the freezer for 5 - 10 minutes.
- Transferring the shapes to the baking sheet with a wide, metal spatula and spacing them 3/4 inch apart. Set the scraps aside for reuse.
- Bake cookies at 350 degrees F for 8-12 minutes on the middle rack. Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough. Frost as desired, once completely cool.
For the Orange Cream:
- Whisk the powdered sugar, orange oil (or zest), 2 tablespoons butter, and cream cheese. Add the heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency. Depending on how many cookies you make at a time it might be necessary to make additional batches of orange cream.
To Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spread orange cream on the bottom side of a cookie. Top the cream with the bottom side of another cookie. Eat and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 168Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 3g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Jill says
This is adorable. Congratulations, Allison and Dan! Given Katie’s description of Allison, I can tell that these two are a perfect match for each other as Dan is one of the most thoughtful and kind people I have ever met! Best wishes to you both!
Kelly says
I absolutely LOVED reading this! So clever, Dan! You’ve got an amazing girl, Allison (and her darling girls) is so wonderful but I guess I don’t have to tell YOU! Congrats! So happy to hear this great news.
Allison says
I am obviously biased, but I think this is your BEST POST EVER Katie. You are such a good friend. And I am the happiest girl in the world! P.S. I said yes!
Jo says
Sweet!
Kristen says
This is incredibly sweet!
Holly W says
how sweet is this?! Congrats!
what a cute story and a perfect proposal!
Mary says
….but did she say “yes”?!?! 😀 Congrats!
Allison says
I did say yes! With a huge smile on my face!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
This is so sweet. Both Dan and Allison sound amazing. I love this idea and the “Will you marry me?” cookie picture is perfect. Congratulations to Allison and Dan! 🙂
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
So so incredibly sweet and perfect!!
jenn nahrstadt says
post a picture of the happy couple!
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
I have tears over here! This is so perfect. What a surprise!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I have chills through my tears. This is beyond sweet. SO amazing to do this for your friend, she will surely never forget. I love this.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
This is SO awesome! It speaks volumes that Dan chose propose to Allison by including someone else that is so dear to her. Such love here. Congratulations, Allison and Dan!
Kristen M says
This is the sweetest proposal! Congrats to Allison and Dan!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
This gave me chills, made my day, and brought tears to my eyes – all at the same time.
Congratulations to you, Allison. You are an incredibly talented, caring, and amazing woman and YOU deserve ALL the happiness in the world!!
Shaina says
I’m so excited for Allison! I got all heart-fluttery and smiley. SO SWEET!