Like a lot of people, I love cookie dough just as much, if not more than the cookies that result. Eating cookie dough straight up, however, tends to get a bad rap. Either you’re getting scolded for consuming raw eggs or you’re considered a glutton that you cannot wait for the cookies to bake to enjoy them.
I distinctly remember being eleven or so and baking cookies with a friend. Her parents were out of some of the neccesary ingredients so my mother let us use hers. In the process of making the dough, however, we realize that the baking sheets had been left in the oven and got ruined when the oven was preheating. So instead of baking the cookies we ate the entire batch of dough raw. It is safe to say my mother was NOT pleased.
Fast forward quite a few years to Christmas 2009 and my aunt made a batch of delicious cookie dough truffles. When Shannon invited me to a blogger cookie swap I knew I wanted to put my own spin on the recipe to share with the girls. One of my favorite flavor combinations is dark chocolate and orange so I embrued these truffles with those flavors. To pull in the orange flavor I used a combination of orange zest and Cointreau. I dip these in a mixture of dark chocolate and shortening. You might be asking, why shortening? Well, I’m pathetically bad at tempering chocolate so the shortening remedies this and makes dipping very easy. It also firms to a nice glossy coating. These are quite addictive and the dough is also good on its own as a mix-in for frozen yogurt.
Curious what the other bloggers made for the swap? Check out Tina’s great recap. Among those in attendance were obviously Shannon, as well as Bridget, Adrienne, Elina, Nicole, Kerstin, Mary Kate, and Shannon’s friend Rebecca.
Shannon was also thoughtful enough to make some dog cookies for the dog owners in the bunch. Below Oliver enjoys his:
Yields about 5 1/2 dozen
Ingredients:
Filling:
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
-3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
-1/8 teaspoon salt
-1 rounded teaspoon finely grated orange zest (not packed)
-2 tablespoons Cointreau, or other orange liqueur
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-2 cups all purpose flour
-1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
-1/2 cup miniature dark chocolate chunks or miniature chocolate chips
Coating:
-2 cups chopped dark chocolate
-2 tablespoons shortening*
Method:
For the filling, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in salt, zest, Cointreau, and vanilla. Gradually add flour, alternately with milk beating well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chunks. Shape into 1 inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Alternatively, grease and flour small silicone truffle molds and press in cookie dough. Loosely cover and refrigerate for one to two hours or until firm.
Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer over a burner. In a glass bowl combine the dark chocolate and shortening. Place over the saucepan (the water should NOT touch the bottom of the bowl) and stir until chocolate and shortening are melted and well combined. Dip cookie dough in coating, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
*Note: I always bake with shortening with no hydrogenated oils. Typically I use Spectrum, but this time I tried the Jungle brand. The Jungle brand added a bit of an aftertaste to the chocolate that was very noticeable on its own, but a little muted when paired with the dough. I’d highly recommend using the most neutral tasting shortening you can find.
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I love your spin on the cookie dough truffles! I made a bunch around Halloween for a friend’s party, and they were a big hit. I used the remaining cookie dough in homemade ice cream – SO GOOD.
I really wish I could have made it to the cookie swap… it looks like you all had a blast.
These look soo good! I love the chocolate/orange flavor together. Looks like a great time at the cookie swap!
It was so nice meeting you in person! Your truffles were little bites of heaven! So delicious!
yeah, these were fantastic! and i love that picture of oliver
maybe our next meetup can be at the dog park!
I buy frozen cookie dough sometimes and eat it just like that. No need to wait for them to bake when the dough is delicious on its own. These were great, Kelly. I now wish I didn’t give away all my leftover cookies. I’m sure my co-workers enjoyed them too
The orange is the best part. Orange and chocolate were meant for each other!
wow that sounds like something I would like… (orange and truffle).
Great idea about adding orange to the cookie dough truffles. I will have to try that with my leftover orange flavoring. Are you aware that you can melt the chocolate in the microwave for dipping?
Hi Kelly! Your cookie dough truffles were melt-in-my-mouth delicious! I loved the hint of orange liquor. And, I loved the fact that they were bite-sized. It was nice to see you again. I’m glad your dog liked Shannon’s treats
Orange and dark chocolate are a magical pairing. Each makes the other better. I especially love those chocolate-dipped candied orange peels. The cookie dough is an inspired touch.
The truffles with cookie dough sound heavenly and I love the addition of the orange flavor! Fantastic!
Another cookie dough lover here! The funny thing is when I first moved in with my now-husband, I found out that he had grown up in a cookie-dough-is-a-no-no household. His mother had him completely convinced that he’d get raging sick if he ate cookie dough. Oh well, more for me! He’s finally come around though… seeing me eat it enough times and NOT running to the bathroom has finally brought him on the cookie dough wagon.
**THUD**
Guava fallen over from chocolately goodness and Oliver cuteness!
How fun to have a cookie swap! These look divine! Love the flavor combo!
The cookie swap sounds like such a great idea. I want to have one too…
These were so good and I loved the orange twist! It was great seeing you again and what a super cute picture of your doggie!
I soooo would have loved those cookies! Dark chocolate and orange is one of my favorite combos. Looks like you had a fabulous time. Maybe I’ll make it to the next one.