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Chocolate orange thumbprint cookies filled with orange marmalade and drizzled with dark chocolate, arranged on a white plate with fresh orange slices and chocolate chips in the background.
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Chocolate Orange Thumbprint Cookies

Soft and buttery chocolate thumbprint cookies filled with sweet orange marmalade and finished with a drizzle of chocolate. These bakery-style cookies combine rich cocoa flavor with bright citrus notes for an irresistible treat.
Course Afternoon Treats, Cookies, Dessert, Holiday Desserts, Sweet Snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword bakery style thumbprint cookies, chocolate citrus cookies, chocolate cookie recipe, chocolate orange cookies, chocolate orange dessert, chocolate orange thumbprint cookies, chocolate orange treats, chocolate thumbprint cookies, Christmas thumbprint cookies, citrus cookies, citrus dessert recipe, easy thumbprint cookies, holiday thumbprint cookies, homemade chocolate cookies, orange marmalade cookies, orange marmalade dessert, orange marmalade thumbprints, orange thumbprint cookies, orange zest cookies, soft chocolate cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 185kcal
Cost $7 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • Microplane or citrus zester
  • Rubber spatula
  • Cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Rounded teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon (for making thumbprints)
  • wire cooling rack
  • Microwave-safe bowl (for melting chocolate)
  • Spoon or piping bag (for drizzling chocolate)

Ingredients

Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract optional
  • 1 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder optional

Orange Filling

  • 3/4 cup thick orange marmalade

Chocolate Drizzle

  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and orange zest. Rub together with your fingertips until fragrant.
  • Add the butter and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and orange extract if using.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
  • Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Scoop 30-gram portions of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) and roll into balls.
  • Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Use the back of a rounded teaspoon to create deep indentations in the center of each cookie.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain slightly soft.
  • Immediately re-press the indentations while the cookies are warm if needed.
  • Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Spoon about 1 teaspoon of orange marmalade into each cookie center.
  • Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth.
  • Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.
  • Garnish with additional orange zest if desired.
  • Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

Notes

Make the most of these Chocolate Orange Thumbprint Cookies with a few simple baking tips. These easy adjustments help ensure soft, flavorful cookies with beautiful thumbprint centers every time.

Use Fresh Orange Zest

Fresh orange zest provides the brightest citrus flavor and gives these chocolate orange thumbprint cookies their signature taste. Avoid bottled orange juice, which won't provide the same concentrated orange oils.

Chill the Dough

Chilling the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent spreading and keeps the thumbprint centers deep and defined during baking. This step is especially important if your kitchen is warm.

Re-Press the Centers After Baking

The thumbprints may puff slightly in the oven. Gently press the centers again immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm to create the perfect space for the orange marmalade filling.

Choose a Thick Orange Marmalade

A thick, high-quality orange marmalade works best because it stays neatly in the cookie center and provides a vibrant citrus flavor. Avoid thin preserves that can run or soak into the cookies.

Don't Overbake

For soft and tender chocolate thumbprint cookies, remove them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

Fill After Cooling

Wait until the cookies are completely cool before adding the orange marmalade. This keeps the filling glossy, fresh-tasting, and visually appealing.

Enhance the Chocolate Flavor

The optional espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee. It's a simple way to make the cocoa flavor richer and more pronounced.

Store Properly

Store leftover chocolate orange thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This helps maintain their soft texture and fresh citrus flavor.