Chocolate and orange is a classic pairing that tastes elegant without being fussy. These cookies show you can get bakery-style results with minimal effort by starting with a chocolate cake mix.
With more than 25 years in the kitchen, I’ve learned a few reliable shortcuts. A box of chocolate cake mix gives a soft, rich cookie every time, and adding a bit of sour cream keeps them tender for days. A single segment of Terry’s Chocolate Orange pressed on top while the cookies are warm finishes them with that iconic chocolate-orange flavor and an attractive presentation.
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe Works
- Key Ingredients
- Cake Mix Tip
- How to make Chocolate Orange Cookies with a Cake Mix
- Expert Tips
- Storage and Freezing
- Chocolate Orange Cookie Recipe FAQ’s
- Do you love chocolate cake mix cookies? Try these…
- Chocolate and Orange Cookies Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
- Cake mix creates a foolproof base – it delivers balanced chocolate flavor and a soft texture without measuring several dry ingredients.
- Sour cream keeps the cookies ultra soft – it’s the trick for bakery-style cookies that stay tender for days.
- Orange zest adds real brightness – it lifts the chocolate and gives you the classic chocolate‑orange flavor.
- Chocolate orange segments provide built-in presentation – they melt slightly into the warm cookie and look beautiful.
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate cake mix: The base for the dough. Use a 13.25-ounce box for the right consistency.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps the cookies spread just enough.
- Sour cream: Keeps the cookies tender and adds a subtle tang to balance sweetness.
- Orange zest: Fresh zest is essential for bright citrus flavor—avoid the bitter white pith.
- Terry’s Chocolate Orange segments: One segment per cookie adds intense chocolate-orange flavor and a polished look.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full details.
Cake Mix Tip
Box size matters when making cookies from a cake mix. Most modern mixes are 13.25 ounces and work well here. If your dough seems too soft, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of flour to firm it up.
How to make Chocolate Orange Cookies with a Cake Mix
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl whisk together the chocolate cake mix and the flour. Add the eggs, melted butter (cooled slightly), sour cream, and orange zest. Use an electric mixer to combine into a thick dough, then fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Step 2: Portion the dough with a large cookie scoop and shape each portion into a thick disc with your hands.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment and bake six cookies at a time for 10–12 minutes, until set around the edges.
Step 4: Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. While still warm, press a chocolate orange segment into the center of each cookie and finish with extra orange zest if desired.
Expert Tips
- Cool the melted butter slightly before adding it to the dough to avoid warming the eggs and creating a grainy texture.
- Use a microplane for zest to capture only the bright orange peel and not the bitter pith.
- Don’t overbake — cookies may look slightly soft when removed but will firm as they cool.
- Bake in small batches so the cookies have room to spread and bake evenly.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Chocolate Orange Cookie Recipe FAQ’s
Chocolate cake mix is recommended; devil’s food mix works well if you prefer a richer chocolate flavor.
Swap in any chocolate-orange candy or press a piece of dark chocolate on top and add extra orange zest.
Yes. Use a medium scoop for about 24–28 smaller cookies and reduce bake time to 8–10 minutes.
Do you love chocolate cake mix cookies? Try these…
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Easy Chocolate Espresso Cookies Recipe
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Chocolate and Orange Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix, {13.25 ounces}
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup butter, {melted}
- 2 Tablespoons sour cream
- zest one orange
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 14 Terry’s Chocolate Orange Segments
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Whisk together the cake mix and flour in a medium bowl. Add the eggs, cooled melted butter, sour cream, and orange zest. Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer until a thick dough forms, then fold in the mini chocolate chips.
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Use a large scoop to portion the dough for 12 large cookies. Shape each portion into a thick disc and place on a silicone- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 6 at a time for 10–12 minutes, until set.
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Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then press a chocolate orange segment into each warm cookie and, if desired, sprinkle with extra orange zest.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.