Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I love pairing chocolate and fresh orange in desserts, particularly during the holidays!
Past favorites include Orange Bundt Cake, Candied Orange Slices with Chocolate, and Chocolate Orange Scones.
Thick and extra chewy Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies are the latest to join the list and they might be one of my favorite cookie recipes to date. The definition of sweet-salty perfection.
If you’re looking for a more classic flavor profile, try these Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
Why You’ll Love These Unique Cookies:
- Flavor – classic chocolate chunk cookie flavor, but with a lot more intrigue and flavor. Fresh orange zest elevates the bittersweet chocolate. Chopped pistachios add texture, color, and flavor, but can be left out or swapped with other nuts.
- Zero Chilling Required – I’ve heard all the arguments for chilling cookie dough, but it requires a lot more planning and foresight than most cookie cravings allow. This recipe allows you to go from dough to baked cookies in no time at all. Perfect for everyday, last-minute gatherings, and holiday cookie swaps.
- Thick and Chewy – these cookies bake up thick and chewy, with slightly crisp edges, which is my favorite cookie texture. They also store exceptionally well. They become chewier over time and the orange flavor becomes even more pronounced.
- Touch of Salt – a sprinkle of flaky salt on top adds balance and keeps you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
This cookie dough is made with everyday baking staples: all purpose flour, baking powder and soda, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
For flavor add-in’s, you’ll need:
- BITTERSWEET (or semi-sweet) CHOCOLATE – I prefer bittersweet chocolate in lieu of chocolate chips for these cookies! It produces an elevated, balanced chocolate chunk cookie that isn’t overly sweet. The chopped chocolate distributes evenly throughout the dough in small and large pieces. I recommend Trader Joe’s 72% Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars if you’re looking for a high-quality affordable option!
- FRESH ORANGE – before creaming, orange zest is rubbed into the sugars to infuse the cookie dough with the loveliest orange essence.
- SHELLED PISTACHIOS – you’ll want to use raw or dry roasted (unsalted) shelled pistachios for these cookies. If you don’t like nuts in your cookies, feel free to leave them out entirely, but I do love them here. Or swap the pistachios for other nuts, such as hazelnuts or walnuts.
- FLAKY FINISHING SALT – a little sprinkle before baking is the final and signature touch! I recommend Maldon brand.
BAKING TIP: To make these cookies extra pretty, reserve a small amount of chopped chocolate and pistachios for topping. Before baking, gently press a few pieces of both into the tops of each cookie scoop.
The Secret to Perfectly Round Cookies:
One of the best baking hacks that I’ve learned in the last few years is how to make perfectly round cookies. This trick is particularly helpful if you measure the dough with a spoon and don’t want to bother rounding your cookie dough.
- Just after the cookies have baked and are still warm on the sheet pan, grab a round cookie cutter or tartlet ring (see photo below) – the cutter needs to be larger than the diameter of your baked cookies or you will cut/crush the cookies.
- Place the cutter or ring over the cookie and place gently along one edge of the cookie. Working quickly, gently move the ring in a circular motion until the edges of the cookie are rounded. Repeat with the remaining cookies. That’s it!
How to Store and Freeze These Cookies:
Once the cookies have baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container (preferably between pieces of parchment or wax paper) at room temperature for up to one week or longer. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month; thaw for several hours at room temperature.
The dough can also be frozen and baked at your convenience! Scoop the dough into balls, setting them apart on a lined baking tray. Set in the freezer for 1 hour. Once the cookies are chilled and solid, transfer to a large Ziplock bag, squeezing out any excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Bake from frozen, adding an additional minute or two to the total bake time.
More Easy Holiday Cookie Recipes:
If you enjoy these cookies, here are a few other easy cookie recipes to try next.
Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups (270g) unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces (1 stick; 115g) unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup (130g) packed dark brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (130g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces (170g) bittersweet or semi-sweet dark chocolate chopped
- ⅔ cup (85g) shelled pistachios coarsely chopped
- flaky salt for finishing (I recommend Maldon)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) with a rack in the center position. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Place the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and orange zest in a stand mixer bowl (or large mixing bowl). Using your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugars until moist and fragrant. Add the softened butter to the sugar mixture and using the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer, cream over medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until creamy and fluffy. Add the eggs one a time, mixing until each is evenly incorporated. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix just until absorbed. Add the chopped chocolate and pistachios and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl one last time. Laura's Tip: Reserve a small amount of chocolate and pistachios for topping on the cookie dough scoops before baking. It makes for a beautiful presentation!
- Using a spoon or scoop, scoop the cookie dough (roughly 2 to 3 tablespoons per cookie) onto the lined sheet pan, spacing the cookies an inch or two apart. Top each scoop with a few pieces of reserved chopped chocolate and pistachios. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Baking Note: Not all of the dough will fit on a half sheet pan – if you are baking in batches, allow the half sheet pan to cool completely between rounds or use two half sheet pans, setting on the lower and upper third racks of the oven. Rotate and swap the pans halfway through baking.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Do not over bake, the cookies should still be slightly soft in the center. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then lift and transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Serve warm or allow to cool completely.
- Storage: Once the cookies have baked and cooled fully, store in an airtight container, between layers of parchment, at room temperature for up to a week or more. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
How to Store and Freeze These Cookie:
- Once the cookies have baked and cooled fully, store in an airtight container, between layers of parchment, at room temperature for up to a week or more. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Alternatively, you can scoop the dough into balls, set apart from one another on a lined baking tray, and place in the freezer for 1 hour. Once the cookies are chilled and solid, transfer to a large Ziplock bag, squeezing out any excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an additional minute or two to the total baking time.
Seasonal Flavor Variations:
- To make these cookies extra festive for the holiday season, try adding dried unsweetened (or sweetened, your choice!) cranberries to the batter.
54 Comments on “Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies”
Delicious! I used 2 crushed orange chocolate bars, browned butter, and some extra orange zest. Another commenter mentioned that these puff up thicker than in the photos, the same happened for me even though I used a kitchen scale and measured everything within 0.5 g. I will leave the baking powder out next time to avoid this.
These cookies are amazingly delicious and so easy to put together. Can’t wait to try with hazelnuts!
I ground up some pistachios to a fine powder and added it to my flour mixture. Wow!! What flavor!!! I used a dark chocolate chunk for the chips! Delicious!!!
Easy to follow recipe. Delicious results!
This recipe was so amazing, going to be making these a lot! I followed recipe as is and they came out perfect.
I made this today and the flavors are amazing together! Mine baked up thicker than yours. Any tips on how to get them a bit more flat next time?
Glad you liked them! I recommend always using a baking scale – if you used cup measurements, there is a chance that the flour has been slightly over measured? If you did use a scale and they’re still baking up thicker than you’d like (these are definitely not supposed to be super thin!), once you take the cookies out of to the oven, grab the sheet pan and hit it down on your countertop (called pan banging!) and they should deflate a bit resulting in a thinner, wrinkly cookie. Alternatively, you could reduce the all purpose flour by 2 tablespoons and see if that helps too.
Wonderful! Thanks for the tips, Laura. I absolutely love the chocolate and orange together. My family is also a fan!
Another option is that you could press down on the rounded cookie scoops with your palm prior to baking. This would also result in a thinner cookie with no other changes needed!
My first time on your site. Delicious! Wonderful, unique flavor and the chewy texture is perfect too! Thank you!
I have been baking for 51 years, many of those professionally. This may be my new favourite recipe. I added Trader Joe’s orange flavoured cranberries, and doubled the recipe. Used Maldon sea salt. Flattened cookie scoops a tad, increased baking time based on my oven. Insane. Just insanely good.
Made these tonight and they were delicious! Look forward to making your Guinness Stout Cake with Bailey’s Cream Cheese Frosting next. Thanks!
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There’s no leaving well enough alone in my kitchen. I am the queen of tweaking. Love these cookies to pieces.
Soft baked sugar cookies with green-tinted frosting and holiday sprinkles!
My favorite holiday dessert is sweet potato pie!!
We love to make a number of holiday items but I think one of the favorites is eggnog cheesecake chocolate chip bars.
My mother’s pumpkin pie!
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I absolutely love sugar cookies!!!
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Christmas cookies!! (Sugar cookies with sprinkles)
I love cheesecake!
Yesssss! So excited for Laurie and her new cookbook. Seriously, these cookies? I die.
Saw on IG and couldn’t wait for the full post. And that flaked sea salt!!!
My favorite holiday treats are definitely all the different cookies that I like to make. I will be adding this one to the file. Thanks.!
I love chocolate cream pie at the holidays!
i love making gingerbread cut outs!
My favorite holiday dessert is homemade stollen from my family recipe.
Yum, anything with pistachios makes me happy! My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin trifle and chocolate peppermint cookies with a white russian for an adult pairing.
My favorite is buche de noel, or maybe it’s apple pie at thanksgiving. Or even panettone!
peppermint bark!
Ginger cookies!
My favorite Holiday Dessert is English Trifle that my 91 year old mom has made for the last 61 years !
Peanut butter blossoms with the Hershey Kisses are my all time favorites.
I’ve been baking up a ton of new cookies recipes (but all for the blog!) Haha! My favorite cookie for the holidays though is any chewy gingerbread!
I love peppermint cookies and apple caramels! 🙂
I’ve never been a cookie person, until I got knocked up, and now, I can’t get enough of them! Especially when they’re fancy like these…..
I love the idea of swapping out the chocolate for cranberries, that sounds delicious! Cookie season is coming soon!
I actually would keep the chocolate in there too! 🙂
My favorite holiday treat is biscotti! Being Italian, I make them every holiday for a nice crunchy dessert after a big meal like Thanksgiving. Also, I love nuts and always have nuts in my biscotti (pistachio dust on chocolate dipped biscotti, anyone?) so I love the sound of this cookie!
Anything pumpkin!
I love making–and eating–homemade caramels.
These cookies look INCREDIBLE! And I seriously love the combination of orange, chocolate, and pistachios. The perfect holiday cookie!!
I love when my mom makes magic cookie bars.
I’ve never tried orange salted anything before! I really want to try it now! These cookies look lovely!
I love your fun twist on these, Laura… not to mention they look beautiful! Thank you so much for reviewing the book and hosting a giveaway, means the world to me! XO!
I so love your recipes and this one will be one that I make over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I appreciate all the work you put into you blog and recipes so that I may enjoy food again!
Oh I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens. LOL [Completely stole that from Ever After.] But I guess I’d have to choose either Chocolate Meringue or Coconut Pie. Cannot turn them down!
Oh, and my favorite holiday dessert is a hard question to answer…probably chocolate pie on Thanksgiving or a handful of assorted cookies at Christmas.
these cookies look incredible! I can’t wait to try them!!
I have a hard time resisting a good shortbread.
God, these look like the perfectly balanced cookie – I’ll be sure to be making a tin of these to take into the office.
Though, you’ve reminded me that because I no longer live in America I can no longer get Trader Joe’s Semi-sweet Chips. Best chocolate chips/ chunks ever.
This is my first ever Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving isn’t an Australian holiday) and although Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin muffins (anything pumpkin really) is what seems to ‘traditionally’ be Thanksgiving fare, we’re having chocolate and strawberry pastries that I’ll be making while the turkey is cooking *insert grin at being ok with an oven on in late November*.
Having seen this recipe though, I’ve decided that these cookies, with the addition of cranberries (which sounds DIVINE) will also be gracing the table, maybe even snacking on a few while prepping all the other goodies.