This Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread is a truly irresistible treat, boasting a rich, buttery texture complemented by a bright hint of orange and generous pockets of decadent chocolate. It’s a delightful dessert that consistently earns rave reviews from everyone who tries it.

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Indulge in the Zesty Sweetness of Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread

There’s an undeniable charm to classic shortbread, a simple yet profoundly satisfying dessert. Its tender crumb and buttery richness have captivated palates for centuries, and when infused with the vibrant zest of orange and studded with luxurious chocolate chunks, it transforms into an extraordinary culinary experience. This isn’t just a cookie; it’s a moment of pure bliss, perfect for any occasion – from a casual afternoon snack to a celebratory gathering.

Why Our Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread Will Be Your New Favorite

We all have those moments when we crave a homemade treat but lack the time for an elaborate baking project. This Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread is the ultimate solution. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and fuss, yet delivers maximum flavor and elegance. Imagine biting into a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth cookie, where the rich, golden butter notes perfectly mingle with the citrusy brightness of orange, followed by the satisfying burst of bittersweet chocolate. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that’s both comforting and exciting.

This recipe is a staple in our kitchen, especially when unexpected guests arrive or when the weekend calls for a quick, rewarding baking session. Its simplicity belies its sophisticated flavor, making it a go-to for entertaining. And let’s be honest, who can resist a perfect cookie, especially one that combines such beloved flavors?

The Magical Combination: Orange and Chocolate

The pairing of orange and chocolate is a classic for a reason. The bright, slightly tart, and aromatic qualities of orange zest cut through the sweetness and richness of chocolate, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile that is both invigorating and deeply satisfying. In this shortbread, the orange zest is freshly grated, ensuring that vibrant, natural citrus essence is fully infused into every bite. When combined with generous chunks of high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, it creates a taste sensation that is truly unparalleled.

If you haven’t ventured into the world of orange and chocolate together, prepare for a revelation. The bitterness of the chocolate provides a wonderful contrast to the sunny sweetness of the orange, making each morsel complex and utterly delightful. This shortbread truly highlights how these two ingredients are meant to be together.

Baking Simplified: The Art of Easy Shortbread

One of the greatest joys of making shortbread is its straightforwardness. Forget about intricate steps, endless measurements, or delicate handling. This recipe requires only a handful of common pantry ingredients, and the process is as simple as can be. You won’t need to roll out dough or meticulously scoop individual cookies. Instead, the buttery dough is simply pressed into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, smoothed, and baked. It’s a minimalist approach to baking that yields maximum results – perfectly uniform, delicious shortbread wedges every time.

The beauty of this method is that it reduces mess and complexity, making it an ideal recipe for beginner bakers or those short on time. The dough comes together effortlessly, and pressing it into the pan is quick and satisfying. This no-fuss approach is what makes shortbread a perennial favorite and a perfect candidate for your weekend baking project.

A Brief Journey Through Shortbread History

Shortbread, with its rich history, hails from Scotland, tracing its origins back to medieval biscuit bread. Initially, it was a much more elaborate and expensive treat, reserved for special occasions like Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). Over time, its popularity grew, and it became a staple throughout Scotland. The name “shortbread” refers to its crumbly texture, resulting from a high butter content, which “shortens” the gluten strands in the flour.

Today, Scottish shortbread is celebrated worldwide, with renowned companies like Walkers being major exporters. Traditional shortbread often comes in three shapes: rounds, petticoat tails (large rounds cut into wedges), or fingers. Our recipe embraces the classic wedge shape, perfect for sharing and serving.

Essential Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread

While shortbread is inherently simple, a few expert tips can elevate your baking from good to absolutely outstanding:

Quality Butter is Key: Shortbread’s signature flavor comes primarily from butter. Using a high-quality unsalted butter makes a significant difference in the taste and texture of your shortbread. It contributes to that rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality that defines a truly exceptional shortbread.
Chocolate Choice Matters: While mini chocolate chips can certainly work in a pinch, we highly recommend using coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate chunks. The larger pieces provide a more substantial and satisfying burst of chocolate flavor and a beautiful visual appeal, creating delightful pockets of gooey goodness within the buttery shortbread. We often use Ghirardelli for its consistent quality.
The Purpose of Pricking: You’ll notice the instruction to prick the surface of the dough with a fork before baking. This isn’t just for decoration! Pricking the dough allows steam to escape during baking, which prevents the shortbread from bubbling up unevenly and helps maintain a perfectly flat, crisp surface.
Timing the Cut: For the cleanest, most effortless cuts, slice your shortbread into wedges while it’s still warm, shortly after removing it from the oven. As shortbread cools, it becomes firmer and more brittle, making it more prone to crumbling when cut.
Proper Storage: To maintain its freshness and delightful texture, store your cooled shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature. It will remain wonderfully fresh for up to 5 days, though it’s usually devoured long before then!

Customization and Serving Suggestions

Beyond its inherent deliciousness, shortbread is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to experiment with other citrus zests, like lemon or lime, for a different flavor profile. You could also incorporate finely chopped nuts such as pecans or almonds for added texture and nutty notes. For those who prefer a less intense chocolate flavor, you can reduce the amount or even omit it entirely for a classic orange shortbread. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to tailor this recipe to your personal preferences.

This Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread is versatile in how it can be enjoyed. Serve it as a delightful dessert, perhaps alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. It’s equally perfect as an afternoon snack with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm cup of tea, or your favorite coffee. Its satisfying richness makes it a wonderful accompaniment to any beverage.

For those following a gluten-free diet, don’t miss out on the shortbread experience! We also have a fantastic Gluten Free Lime Coconut Shortbread recipe that’s equally delicious and satisfying.

Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread Recipe

Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Rich, buttery shortbread with a hint of orange flavor and loaded with chocolate chunks is always a fan favorite!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. freshly grated orange zest
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I use Ghirardelli)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Place a rack in the middle of the oven. Lightly spray a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, and orange zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture, just until the dough starts to form large clumps. Stir in the chopped chocolate chunks with a wooden spoon.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Using a fork, prick the entire surface of the dough about 1/4 inch deep, and about every 1/2 inch.
Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake until lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and slice into 8 wedges while the shortbread is still warm. Cool completely in the pan, then carefully remove from the tart pan. Shortbread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Cuisine: Scottish | Course: Dessert

Share Your Culinary Creations!

We truly hope this Chocolate Chunk Orange Shortbread becomes a cherished recipe in your home. Its irresistible combination of rich butter, zesty orange, and decadent chocolate is sure to impress family and friends alike. It’s the perfect treat to brighten any day, celebrate a special occasion, or simply indulge your sweet cravings with minimal effort.

Once you’ve baked this delightful shortbread, we would absolutely love to see your creations! Snap a photo before taking that first delicious bite and share it with us. Be sure to follow and mention @thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen. Happy baking, and enjoy every buttery, chocolatey, orange-kissed crumb!