Chocolate Orange Freaky Face Cookies (Printable Version)
Spooky chocolate orange treats with creative decorating fun
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 2 large oranges
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
→ Add-ins & Decorations
12 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
13 - Candy eyeballs, colored sprinkles, or gel icing for decorating
14 - White and dark chocolate melts (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until well combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
06 - Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
09 - Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
10 - Once cool, decorate with candy eyeballs, sprinkles, or icing to create spooky faces. Use melted white and dark chocolate for extra details if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The orange zest cuts through the rich chocolate creating a sophisticated flavor that somehow still tastes like childhood
- K decorating time becomes the best part of baking especially when those creepy faces start staring back at you
02 -
- These cookies continue baking on the hot sheet so pulling them out when centers look slightly soft is actually correct timing
- Fresh orange zest makes an enormous difference compared to bottled juice so please grate those oranges yourself
- Decorate only after cookies are completely cool or your candy eyes will melt into sad droopy ghosts
03 -
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is warm to prevent cookies from spreading too thin
- Use a microplane for the finest most fragrant orange zest possible