I am a lucky, lucky girl. I get my organic CSA produce box delivered with a little something sweet tucked in on top of all the fruits and veggies. Auntie Em’s produce delivery is run by local chef extraordinaire, Theresa Wahl of Bobby Flay Throwdown cupcake fame (her Red Velvets beat him out).
This week my complimentary bakery items were two orange and rosemary chocolate chip cookies. Oh. My. Let me tell you just how delicious they were. Normally, I am a very generous person. When I receive a sweet, delicious baked good inside of my CSA box, no matter how tiny, I divide it into slivers and share it with my husband and children.
Not these babies! With these little gems, only my daughter received a cookie because I just couldn’t stop myself from eating one whole cookie and hogging it for myself. My husband didn’t even know it came with the box. I threw away the carton and any evidence (crumbs!). Lucky for me, he only reads some of my posts so I think I may be safe with letting this secret out of the bag here.
I was bound and determined to recreate these citrus-y, chewy chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmm. I was thinking about them all day. The texture was really something special, chewy but not crispy, orange flavored but not overpowering, and the touch of rosemary added an entirely new layer of flavor.
Well, I made two different batches trying to recreate them and actually came up with two very different, but delicious cookies; one flat, chewy and just slightly crisp and the other fluffy and scone-like with crunchy sugar atop. Both were totally YUM.
When I took a bite of the fluffy one, I was sure IT was my favorite! Then I took a bite of the flat, chewy one and decided that IT was my favorite. Which one would I post on? Neither was exactly like the ones in my CSA box, but they were both delectable and worthy of posting.
I decided to bring the cookies with me to the office and let the power of the people decide which cookie was better. I was sort of in a Throwdown with myself. I asked my coworkers to mark which cookie they liked better and give it a score from one to ten.
Well the scores were almost exactly tied and the scores ranged from 8 to 10 on both cookies. I shared my dilemma with a coworker. She told me to post on BOTH cookies! You think I could have come up with that all by myself, but ah well, apparently I was having a dumb day. It happens to the best of us.
Anyhow, if you ever make one or both, please let me know what you think. They are both my creations and both will now make it into my cookie gift tins at the holidays.
VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE:If you are serving them at a party or giving them as gifts, you may want to make up a nice little tag with your cookies that plainly states, “Orange and Rosemary Infused Chocolate Chip cookies.” You wouldn’t want anyone to have to guess as to what the little green dots in your cookies are. Thanks Brenda for that tip! 🙂
P.S. I think chopped, blanched almonds would be a divine addition, but I do not have a nut-loving clan so I did not add them to mine.
Fluffy, Soft Scone-like Rosemary and Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields approximately 3 dozen small cookies
3 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 stick of salted butter, softened
1 1/4 c. of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla extract
1 T. orange juice
1/4 t. natural orange extract (this makes a big difference to get a orange-y flavor going)
2 T. grated orange peel (orange part ONLY!–the white pith is very bitter)
3 c. all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 T. finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 c. of mini chocolate chips
1/4 c. of granulated sugar in a small bowl
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Either spray coat your baking sheets or place parchment paper or a Silpat mat on top of them.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together on medium speed butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, orange extract, orange juice and orange peel. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients, 1/2 at a time, beating in between on medium. Add rosemary and chocolate chips. Scoop round spoonfuls (I used a small icecream scoop or use a medium sized spoon) and roll in the granulated sugar. Place the mounds of cookie dough onto the prepared pan, separating them by 1.5 inches.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until slightly golden at the edges. Let cool for 5 minutes on the pan and then remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Flat and Chewy, Rosemary and Orange Infused Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields approximately two dozen cookies.
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
1 T. orange zest
1/4 to 1/2 t. natural orange extract (hint of orange or more pronounced?)
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. white rice flour (or just more all purpose)
3/4 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 T. finely chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 c. roughly chopped dark chocolate into small chunks
This recipe post has been used several times by me to bake from so it is very accurate and should come out great!
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Either place parchment paper or a Silpat mat on top of them.
Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, orange zest and orange extract. In a separate bowl whisk together flours, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture and cream together on medium speed. Add rosemary and chocolate chunks and combine. Drop onto prepared pan using a small ice cream scoop, separating them by two inches. Spray a little nonstick coating on your hand and lightly press down on each ball of dough. See photo of dough on cookie sheet above. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges. They should feel lightly firm to the touch. Let cool for 5 minutes on the pan and then remove with a spatula and let cool on a wire rack.
November 25, 2011 at 7:29 am
Geni, both of your cookies look so good..I would love to try them right this minute:)) I love the idea of almonds, since everybody in my house absolutely love them! Hope you had wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!! Have a great weekend!!! xoxo
November 25, 2011 at 7:44 am
I love what orange does for baked goods. I haven’t thought to use rosemary though. You are a baking genius Geni! 🙂
November 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Thank you for thinking that. I do try to tell my kids that the reason my parents named me Geni is because my name is inherent in the word genius. 😉
November 25, 2011 at 9:48 am
I wouldn’t be able to pick a winner, either! Both look fabulous in their own way. This is such a unique flavor combination!
November 25, 2011 at 10:16 am
These look so perfect for my Thanksgiving hangover! I am getting some rosemary and making them today!
November 25, 2011 at 10:22 am
Your title made me laugh. I was thinking I bet Geni won! These are winners in my book.
November 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm
You know what Greg, I DID win! Shocking, isn’t it? You’re such a smart a$$.
November 25, 2011 at 10:26 am
These sound excellent! What an exciting combination!
November 25, 2011 at 10:28 am
This seems to me to pretty much *require* a side-by-side testing like yours, Geni! They sound stupendous.
November 25, 2011 at 10:34 am
I love cookies made with fresh herbs and nuts…haven’t tried the combination of chocolate and rosemary. They look really tempting!
November 25, 2011 at 11:27 am
I have to say something amazing about you. When you have a decadent and wonderful chocolate recipe, you sometimes throw in unexpected things like orange and rosemary. You challenge my taste-buds and I can’t wait to make these cookies. Of course chocolate is my fav lol.. but these look and sound great
November 28, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Thank you! I love to challenge your tastebuds.
November 25, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Geni, you are so fun! a throwdown against yourself!! I’ve brought in baked goods for testing too with my coworkers. I think that makes up very popular in the office! I made a shortbread cookie with rosemary which I loved! Some people found it odd with the herb in it, but to me it’s aroma and taste was heavenly. I have to try yours out as well…but which one….Hmmm..maybe both!!
November 28, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I know…i have a similar occurrence with these cookies, BUT i have found that if I seriously pulverise my rosemary when I chop it, then the flavor is there but the larger green bits aren’t.
November 25, 2011 at 4:02 pm
I bet you were one popular cookie in the office asking people to taste test – I mean it’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it, right? These look awesome, and I think would make a lovely gift (with gift tag).
November 28, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I added them to my cookie gift trays last Christmas, and they were the most talked about and prized cookie on the platter at every house. I felt like a proud mama.
November 25, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I can’t decide which one should win! They both look gorgeous – and what an interesting taste combination. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a cakier one, sometimes for a thin one. It’s great to be able to choose!
November 28, 2011 at 2:45 pm
It’s sort of like the old Mounds and Almond Joy commercial…sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don’t! 😉
November 25, 2011 at 6:49 pm
What an amazing flavor combination! I guess I will have to try making one of each- so difficult to decide.
November 25, 2011 at 10:30 pm
These are too delicious for words! I’d be with you – they’d both be my favorites!
November 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm
You had me with rosemary in this post’s title. I love it and seeing it in not one but 2 cookie recipes, well, it’s like Christmas came early. Thanks for sharing both recipe’s, Geni.
November 26, 2011 at 5:45 am
Well the only way for us to help you decide which cookie is better is to make them BOTH ourselves! I’m already wearing an elastic waistband pants….might as well make two batches of cookies! 😛
November 28, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Elastic waistband pants are the way to go at this time of year Joanne.
November 27, 2011 at 12:44 am
I’ll will easily choose the flat and chewy cookies, I love chewy mist cookies specially with cold milk.
November 27, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I love the unique flavor combo! Both look fantastic, Geni!
November 27, 2011 at 8:38 pm
I love the sound of rosemary in these cookies!
November 28, 2011 at 8:13 am
Wow! I never in a million years would have thought to add rosemary, but now I’m set on trying it. I prefer the look of the fluffier cookies, but now I’m wondering which one I’d think tasted better. Have an excellent day, Geni!
November 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm
I think I’d have a tough time deciding…both cookies sound fantastic! Such a great flavor combination. The rosemary is such a great idea! x
November 28, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Thank you to everyone for all of your nice comments! Have a great week!
November 29, 2011 at 10:49 am
These look amazing! Rosemary in cookies sounds like such a wonderful idea! I’m gonna have to try at least one of these!
November 29, 2011 at 2:01 pm
You have such fun with your baking, and I could do with one of those Vege boxes now that the winter is coming!
November 29, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Both look yummy! Orange and rosemary? I am intrigued!!!
November 30, 2011 at 12:07 pm
As am I… But I definitely wouldn’t mind trying it out! Those cookies look great!
November 29, 2011 at 5:58 pm
LOL, your daughter only got one? Wow, it must have been so good that it brought out the devil in you..LOL, as you mentioned you’re usually generous with your food 😀
They both look good, it’s a tie, I’d say…hehehe 😀
November 30, 2011 at 12:40 pm
What a great dilema to have “which one to post”!! They both look so yummy! Can’t wait to try them myself. I am glad you found my blog so I could find yours 🙂
November 30, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I’m curious about the addition of rosemary in a cookie, but I’m always open to new ideas for me. 😉
November 30, 2011 at 7:13 pm
That sounds like such an interesting combination…amazing! I never would have thought of it but I am intrigued. I’ll have to try them! Thanks for sharing on Crazy Sweet Tuesday. 🙂
December 1, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hi Geni! Oh I love this unique chocolate chip cookies! Very nice twist to the regular one, and even better with citrus flavor which I LOOOVE! It’s great that someone already experimented and all we have to do is follow your path. =) Thank you so much for the recipes and bookmarking them.
December 7, 2011 at 9:46 am
Brilliant combination, never would have thought of it but I have two quite large rosemary bushes and am always looking for ways to use rosemary. These cookies sound pretty awesome.
January 5, 2015 at 2:08 am
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.