Orange Chocolate Chip Blondies

Orange and Chocolate are an unexpected but fantastic combination in these Orange Chocolate Chip Blondies.

I am bombarded with images of food all day long. I’m not complaining, not at all, but it means I am sort of immune to trying to grab something through the screen to eat. It all looks nice but seldom gets me excited enough to have to stop and make something like NOW! Not so with these Orange Chocolate Chip Blondies.

I simply love the combination. For me they are the perfect addition to a list of holiday confections to make. I have no doubt that my familiarity the flavor combination is due to the fact that I used to stick these Terry’s Milk and Dark Chocolate Oranges (affiliate link) into my girls Christmas Stockings.

I used to steal a bite or two every year too…now why didn’t Santa just put one into MY stocking?

This recipe is from my friend Jamie Schler. Jamie and I met over Twitter almost sixteen years ago. We still pop up in each other’s feed occasionally and I saw these Orange Chocolate Chip Blondies a couple of years ago and I was smitten.

I waylaid the recipe; happened on it last week so here we are; the day after Thanksgiving and I’m sharing a brownie that’s blond with the fabulous essence of orange…with chocolate chips to boot!

Jamie is a sometimes blogger, full time hotelier, operating the charming Hotel Diderot in Chinon, France, and always a writer. She has written a beautiful cookbook extolling everything orange, titled, ‘Orange Appeal‘ (affiliate link).

If you love oranges like I do…you have to snap it up. I’m amazed at the different recipes, all using orange, and how successful each and every one I’ve tried has been. There are main courses, salad, drinks, and of course, desserts (clearly my favorite!).

I’ve featured a recipe from the book previously, and it’s another sweet…but also not to be missed. Isabella’s Orange Cake is sweet and sticky from orange flavored syrup and makes a simple but beautiful presentation.

Maybe I need a specific method for judging the success of the recipes I make but my very un-scientific method involves letting some neighbors know I’ve got a sweet to indulge them with, and then counting the text messages I get raving about the latest. These Orange Chocolate Chip Brownies were a three star winner…meaning all three of my friends sent me a quick message extolling their love; that’s high praise indeed!

This was a simple recipe too but it’s that one twist, that little bit of orange, that elevates a blondie into a different realm. The ingredients won’t require hours of sourcing either, they include (full recipe at bottom of post):

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 rounded teaspoon fine orange zest
• Juice from one orange, approximately 1-2 Tablespoons
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cups chocolate chips or coarsely chopped chocolate (more, if desired)
• ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (more, if desired)

The only changes I made were born of years of practicality; I put the juice of the orange I zested into the mix as well. A bit more liquid won’t hurt, as a matter of fact, in Denver where I live at high altitude, it’s prerogative and I’m sure it did lend a bit more of an orange punch to the blondie. Still subtle though and I thought perfect.

Jamie also indicated that the orange element was optional. Sure, leave it out if you want, BUT DON’T! It truly is what makes these Orange Chocolate Chip Blondies special, that ‘orange appeal.’ Without it, they’re ‘just’ a blondie, a dime a dozen. It’s the orange that elevates them to the realm of special; so please do it. For you, for your kids. For your country. OK, maybe I got carried away a bit. 🙂

While I think these would be fabulous any time of the year, I always think of oranges as a holiday treat and I’m certain this one would be well received by anyone who enjoys home baked goodies with a bit of citrus punch. I know they’re going in my goody basket for neighbors; I already know they like them. You must try them too!

PIN IT! ‘Chocolate Chip Blondies with Orange Zest’

Chocolate Chip Blondies with Orange Zest

Barbara Baker

A different and delicious take on a Blondie with chocolate chips, this version includes a bit of orange zest and orange juice.

5 average from less than 50 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 537 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
• 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 rounded teaspoon fine orange zest
• 1 Tablespoon orange juice
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cups chocolate chips or coarsely chopped chocolate more, if desired
• ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts more, if desired

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to help you lift the blondies from the pan when they’re done. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, & salt together in medium bowl; set aside.
• Whisk the melted butter & brown sugar together in medium bowl until combined. Whisk in the zest and orange juice.
• Add the eggs & vanilla and mix well.
• Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, blend dry ingredients into egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in chocolate and nuts.
• Spread batter into prepared pan & smooth all the way to the edges & into the corners evenly.
• Bake until top is shiny, cracked, and light golden brown – this should take 25-30 minutes but I have had to add up to 10 more minutes of baking time depending on the oven. Just keep an eye on them.
• The blondies should be set in the center but still moist as they will continue to set as cooling. Cool on wire rack to room temperature. Remove bars from pan using foil and cut into 16 squares and serve.

Notes

 

 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Chip Blondies with Orange Zest

Serving Size

 

1 Serving

Amount per Serving

Calories

537

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

28

g

43

%

Cholesterol

 

86

mg

29

%

Sodium

 

156

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

71

g

24

%

Protein

 

5

g

10

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Calories

537

Keyword brownies, chocolate, dessert, orange zest

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