These Vegan Orange Chocolate Cookies are packed with ultra fudgy chocolate flavor laced the citrusy brightness of fresh oranges. Decadent, chewy cookies loaded with gooey dark chocolate chunks and made in only one bowl. Let's learn how to make them!
Nothing beats the gorgeous flavor combination that is chocolate and oranges and these incredible vegan orange chocolate cookies really prove that.
This recipe is incredibly easy to follow and made with 100% natural orange flavor - no artificial ingredients in sight! Fresh orange juice and zest pack a huge flavor punch all on their own.
If you want to enjoy this flavor in a traditional chocolate chip cookie, check out our vegan orange chocolate chip cookies!
Also, please see our post on how to make vegan cookies for tips to ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time.
Cookie ingredients:
This combination of ingredients creates perfectly balanced, citrusy-chocolate cookies that are rich, chewy, and bursting with flavor!
- vegan butter: provides moisture and richness, creating a tender, chewy cookie texture.
- light brown sugar: adds a deep caramel-like sweetness and enhances chewiness.
- granulated sugar: helps with structure, crisp edges, and sweetness balance.
- orange juice: adds bright citrus flavor while also acting as a slight acid to help activate the baking soda for a soft texture.
- orange zest: intensifies the fresh, natural orange aroma and flavor without adding extra liquid.
- vanilla extract: enhances the overall flavor and rounds out the chocolate and citrus notes.
- dutch processed cocoa powder: gives the cookies a rich, deep chocolate taste and color while maintaining a smooth, non-acidic flavor.
- baking soda: acts as a leavening agent, creating slight lift and softness in the cookies.
- salt: balances sweetness and enhances the depth of chocolate and citrus flavors.
- all purpose flour: provides structure and ensures the cookies hold their shape while remaining tender.
- dark chocolate or nondairy chocolate chips: adds melty, rich chocolate chunks that complement the orange flavor for a decadent finish.
Why you'll love these cookies:
- Perfect Flavor Combination - The bright, citrusy orange pairs beautifully with rich, deep chocolate for an irresistible flavor contrast.
- Chewy & Decadent Texture - With vegan butter and brown sugar, these cookies turn out soft, chewy, and perfectly rich.
- Easy to Make - No fancy ingredients or complicated steps-just mix, bake, and enjoy!
- Naturally Dairy-Free & Egg-Free - Completely vegan, so everyone can indulge without worry.
- Melty Chocolate Goodness - Loaded with chunks of dark chocolate or chocolate chips for the ultimate gooey bites.
Step by step instructions (with pictures!):
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.
Begin by creaming together the vegan butter, sugars, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Add the cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to the bowl and beat until ingredients are well-distributed. Add the flour to the bowl and best until cookie dough comes together. Do not over-mix. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
Chill the cookie dough for at least one hour before baking.
Scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 F (175 C) for 11-13 minutes.
Recipe tips & tricks:
- Use Fresh Orange Zest & Juice - Fresh orange zest gives the most intense citrus flavor, while fresh juice adds brightness. Avoid bottled juice for the best taste.
- Properly Soften the Vegan Butter - Make sure your vegan butter is softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture. Too soft, and the cookies may spread too much.
- Chill the Dough - If you prefer thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 1 hour before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
- Use High-Quality Chocolate - Opt for high-quality dairy-free dark chocolate or chocolate chips for the richest, most decadent flavor.
- Don't Over-mix the Dough - Over-mixing can lead to dense cookies. Mix until just combined for a soft and chewy texture.
- Bake Just Until the Edges Are Set - The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so take them out when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
How to properly zest an orange:
There are several ways to zest and orange. This is our favorite!
How to Zest an Orange:
- Choose the Right Orange
Use fresh, firm oranges with bright, smooth skin.
- Wash the Orange
Rinse the orange under warm water and scrub lightly to remove any wax or dirt. Pat dry with a towel.
- Use a Zester or Grater
Microplane/Zester - Best tool for fine, fluffy zest. Hold the orange in one hand and gently glide the zester over the surface, rotating as you go.
Box Grater (Fine Side) - Works similarly but may produce slightly thicker zest.
Vegetable Peeler or Paring Knife - Peel off thin strips, then finely chop with a knife. - Only Grate the Outer Layer
Avoid the white pith underneath the skin-it's bitter! Lightly zest just the bright orange layer.
- Use Immediately or Store
Fresh zest has the strongest flavor but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for longer use.
Now you're ready to add vibrant citrus flavor to your baking!
Frequently asked questions:
Of course! Fresh orange juice is recommended for the best flavor but bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
For a stronger citrus flavor, add an additional tablespoon of orange zest to the cookie dough.
Dark chocolate (50-70% cocoa) balances the citrusy sweetness beautifully. Use chopped dark chocolate or dairy-free chocolate chips. If you prefer a sweeter cookie, opt for semisweet chocolate instead.
Flat cookies can be caused by overly softened butter, warm dough, or too little flour. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour before baking and ensure your measurements are accurate.
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried cranberries would pair well with the orange and chocolate flavors. Just fold them into the dough before baking.
Storage:
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Sealable plastic bags and flat, sealable containers work great!
Cookies can also be frozen for up to 1 month if you'd like to keep them fresh for a longer period of time.
If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram.
Vegan Orange Chocolate Cookies
Decadent, chewy vegan chocolate cookies loaded with rich dark chocolate chunks and bright orange, citrusy flavor!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 3-inch Cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
1 cup vegan butter, softened
¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons orange zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup dutch processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups chopped dark chocolate or nondairy chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened vegan butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about one minute. Add the cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until ingredients are well-distributed. Add the flour to the bowl and beat until cookie dough comes together. Do not over-mix. Fold in the chopped dark chocolate.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour or overnight.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Bake: Place 2 or 3 tablespoon scoops of cookie dough on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place baking sheet on center rack of preheated oven and bake cookies for 11-13 minutes. Allow cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
*Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Cookies can also be frozen for up to 1 month.
More vegan orange desserts:
- Vegan Orange Chocolate Mousse
- Vegan Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Vegan Orange Cranberry Sticky Buns
This was a big hit with my music students in our first week back of 2025. Thank you!!!
I am so, so glad to hear that!! Yay!!!