Chocolate Orange Walnut Cookies with Agave Sweetener
Rich chocolate cookies studded with orange-flavored chocolate chunks and crunchy walnuts, sweetened with a blend of sugars and agave for complex flavor depth. The combination of natural cocoa powder and orange chocolate creates an irresistible citrus-chocolate pairing that's perfect for afternoon treats or special occasions. Chilling the dough ensures these cookies hold their shape while baking to achieve the ideal chewy texture with slightly crisp edges.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, slightly cold, cut up
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons agavehoney1:1sweetener
direct substitute mentioned in recipe
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 6 oz orange flavored chocolate, cut into chunksdark chocolate + orange zest6 oz chocolate + 1 tsp zestflavorchocolate
recreates orange chocolate flavor
- ½ cup walnut pieces
Instructions
- 1
Stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt
- 2
Beat butter until creamy using electric mixer
- 3
Add both sugars and beat until creamy
- 4
Beat in agave and vanilla extract
- 5
Add egg and beat just until mixed
- 6
Stir in flour mixture until incorporated using mixing spoon
- 7
Stir in chopped chocolate and nuts
- 8
Scoop dough into balls and place on parchment lined plate
- 9
Chill for about an hour
- 10
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- 11
Line two baking sheets with foil or parchment paper
- 12
Place dough balls approximately 2 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets
- 13
Bake one sheet at a time on center rack for 12 minutes until cookies appear puffed and set
- 14
Let cookies cool for 3 minutes on cookie sheet
- 15
Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely
Tips
Don't overbake - cookies should look puffed and set but still soft for the perfect chewy texture.
Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
Beat egg just until mixed for chewy cookies, or longer for a more cake-like texture.
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days ahead before baking
Serve at room temperature with milk or coffee
Common Mistakes
Don't overbake to avoid dry, hard cookies
Chill dough to prevent excessive spreading during baking
Substitutions
recreates orange chocolate flavor
FAQ
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, scoop dough into balls and freeze on baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
What if I don't have orange chocolate?
Use regular dark chocolate and add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the dough for similar citrus flavor.
How long do these cookies keep?
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.