Orange flavored chocolate can, apparently, be fairly controversial.  I absolutely love it, but my husband can't stand it, and didn't even want to be in the room when I was making these cookies!  He was a good sport and did try one of the cookies though, and dubbed it "not bad," so you know they're good!

These cookies are so rich and chocolaty.  If you're not a fan of orange flavored chocolate, you could easily leave out the orange zest, and replace the chocolate orange with the equivalent in semi-sweet chocolate chips for an amazing double chocolate cookie.

Growing up, we had a little tradition in my family of reading the story "The Christmas Orange" and sharing a chocolate orange. I wanted to do that with my boys, so we combined that with these cookies, and used one of the chocolate oranges (plus a little extra) to make them.  If you have a favorite kind of orange chocolate, feel free to use that!

Just a tip, this recipe uses a mixing method slightly different than the usual, so be sure to read through the recipe completely before starting!  It also helps to measure out all the ingredients first.

Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies
slightly adapted from Baker by Nature

• 1 c. plus 2 1/2 Tbsp flour
• 3 Tbsp special dark cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips (heaping cup)
• 2 Tbsp salted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1/4 c. granulate sugar
• 1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
• zest of 1 orange
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 2 Tbsp whole milk
• 7 oz orange chocolate, chopped (I used 1 whole chocolate orange plus 6 "segments" of another)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside,

In a large mixing bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butter.  Stir occasionally, until chocolate chips are almost melted.  Remove from heat and stir until completely melted.  Mix in the vanilla.

Add the sugars and orange zest and whisk until blended.  Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.  Stir in the milk.

Add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.  Gently fold in the chopped orange chocolate.

Scoop in rounded Tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet (dough is very sticky!)

Bake at 300 degrees F for about 12 minutes, until the edges are set.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.  Makes about 32 cookies.