Chocolate Orange Freaky Face (Printable)
Spooky chocolate orange treats bursting with citrus flavor. Perfect for Halloween fun with kids.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened 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 fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
07 - Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain slightly soft.
09 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
10 - Create spooky faces using candy eyeballs, sprinkles, or icing. Use melted chocolate for additional details if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The chocolate orange combo is actually magical together and nobody expects it
- Kids can go wild decorating while you actually enjoy the process
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy, take them out when edges look set even if centers seem underdone
- Room temperature ingredients mix together way more smoothly than cold ones
03 -
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too sticky to work with
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform sizing so they bake evenly