Gooey Chocolate Orange Cookies (100% Spelt)

These soft chocolate orange cookies are rich and gooey with bright, citrus flavor! This chocolate orange cookie recipe is the best Christmas cookie recipe made with 100% spelt flour!

Check out 12 fresh milled flour holiday recipes that your whole family will love this holiday season!

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Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Orange Cookies

These orange chocolate cookies are a modern twist on a sweet holiday treat, the orange flavored chocolate wedges. These soft chocolate spelt cookies, with gooey bites of warm chocolate chips and the bright, citrus flavor from real oranges, will quickly become a favorite seasonal treat!

Health Benefits of Spelt

• Less gluten – While spelt contains gluten, it is less gluten than modern varieties. The gluten is more delicate and could be dissolved in water, making it easier to digest. Some people with gluten sensitivities find spelt a much easier grain to digest.
• Lowers Cholesterol – Studies have proven that spelt can lower cholesterol and promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. The magnesium in spelt lowers the risk of developing a heart disease.
• Boosts Immune System – The combination of vitamins and minerals including zinc in spelt grain boosts the immune system and healthy energy levels.
• Fiber – Spelt is a great source of fiber. Fiber is necessary for digestive health, regular bowel movements, and detoxing the body on a regular basis.
• Protein – Compared to other grains, spelt is a great source of protein. It helps you to feel fuller and more satiated after eating it.

Everything You Need to Know About Spelt (And Why You Need to Eat It)

Mill Your Own Flour

Fresh milled flour is a wonderful and delicious way to add nutritious value to your baked goods. Wheat berries that are milled fresh before baking contain their full amount of vitamins and minerals, plus the bran and germ remain in the flour and become an excellent source of fiber. Want to jump into the world of fresh milled flour? It all starts with a grain mill!

Before You Begin

Before you begin to make this chocolate orange cookie recipe, soften the butter for the cookie dough. Leave the butter out on the counter at room temperature for a couple hours to allow it to soften. If the butter is melted, the cookies will become thin and crispy. If the butter is cold, it will not cream in the dough properly.

Ingredients for Chocolate Orange Cookies

• 1 cup softened salted butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 480 g spelt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• Zest/juice of 2 oranges
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Equipment

• Electric mixer
• Cookie sheets
• Cooling racks

How to Make Chocolate Orange Cookies

• Preheat your oven to 350 F.
• With a mixer, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Add in the vanilla, eggs, and orange zest/juice. Mix until combined.

• Weigh out the spelt wheat berries and mill the flour.
• In a separate bowl, combine the spelt flour, baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients together.
• While mixing, slowly add in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until the ingredients are combined (don’t over mix!).
• Add in 1 (or more!) cups of chocolate chips and mix with a spatula.

• Use a large cookie scoop to scoop up the cookie dough and form into balls.
• Place the balls of dough onto a cookie sheet and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking.

• Space out the cookies on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes (if they are large).
• Reduce the time to 9-10 minutes if they are smaller cookies.

Storage

• When the chocolate orange cookies are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container or bag with a slice of bread to preserve freshness. Store at room temperature for a week.
• To freeze the dough, lay the balls of cookie dough on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then remove the frozen balls of dough and store in a gallon plastic bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• To freeze the cookies, allow the cookies to cool completely. Stack them gently in a gallon plastic bag and make sure it is tightly sealed. Cookies will be good for up to 3 months.

FAQ

• Can I replace the orange with orange extract or orange juice? The orange cannot be replaced with orange juice, however, you could use a tsp of orange extract. Personally, I believe the flavor of real orange tastes the best in these cookies.
• What can I replace the spelt flour with? Spelt flour can be replaced with 3 cups of all purpose flour or 390 g of soft white wheat flour.
• Can I skip the chill time? Yes, if you are in a hurry, you could bake the cookies right away instead of chilling. The chill helps them to be fluffy, but they will still have a great texture, even if you have to skip the chill time. I’ve done it both ways.

Looking for the best Christmas cookie recipe made with 100% spelt? These soft and gooey chocolate orange cookies are the perfect holiday treat.

Other Spelt Recipes

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  Spelt Blueberry Muffins with Streusel
• 

  Double Chocolate Spelt Muffins
• 

  All About Spelt and Why You Should Use It