Chocolate Orange Freaky Face (Printable Version)

Spooky chocolate orange treats kids love to decorate

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 2 large oranges
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

→ Add-ins & Decorations

12 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
13 - Candy eyeballs, colored sprinkles, or gel icing for decorating
14 - White and dark chocolate melts (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until well combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
06 - Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
09 - Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
10 - Once cool, decorate with candy eyeballs, sprinkles, or icing to create spooky faces. Use melted white and dark chocolate for extra details if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The chocolate orange pairing is surprisingly sophisticated for such a playful treat
  • Kids go absolutely wild for the decorating part, turning kitchen time into memory making
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving, so even imperfect faces taste divine
02 -
  • Orange zest is absolutely essential, the oils in the peel carry way more flavor than juice alone
  • Underbaking slightly is your friend, these cookies continue firming up as they cool
  • Decorating works best on completely cooled cookies or your toppings will slide right off
03 -
  • Chill your dough for 30 minutes if it feels too sticky to work with
  • Use a small cookie scoop for perfectly uniform faces that bake evenly

Go Back