Name: Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large oranges (zested); 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon orange juice (freshly squeezed); 1 large egg yolk; 3 cups all purpose flour (360g); 4 oz semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (about ¾ cup); ½ cup heavy whipping cream (about 32-35%); ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional); ⅛ teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2-4 tablespoons orange juice (squeezed from the zested oranges, as needed)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a cookie that blends buttery softness with a bright, citrusy zing and a rich, melty chocolate center. This Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe is just that—perfect for cozy afternoons or special occasions when you want to impress without stress.

The image shows several round cookies with scalloped edges, each having two layers: a light golden beige top layer with a star-shaped cutout in the center that reveals a dark brown filling underneath. The cookies are placed on a sheet of vintage-style printed paper with sprigs of fresh green rosemary scattered around. A bright orange half is also visible, adding a vibrant pop of color. The surface under the paper appears as a white marbled texture. The overall look is warm and inviting, with a mix of smooth and textured elements. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has quickly become my go-to for holiday baking and gifting. The combination of zesty orange and decadent chocolate is simply irresistible, and the shortbread texture is perfectly tender yet holds the filling beautifully. No wonder friends always ask me to make these again.

Bright Citrus Flavor: The fresh orange zest and juice give each bite a lively, fresh zing that balances the buttery shortbread perfectly.
Rich Chocolate Filling: A silky chocolate-cardamom ganache adds a surprising depth without overpowering the cookie.
Simple But Elegant: These cookies look stunning with minimal effort—great for impressing family or guests without fuss.
Great For Gifting: They keep well and transport nicely, making them a stellar choice for cookie exchanges or holiday gift boxes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays an important role in creating these delightful cookies. From the buttery base to the fresh orange and luscious chocolate filling, here’s what you need to know before you shop:

Flat lay of two whole fresh oranges with bright orange skin and a few zest strips nearby, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a block of unsalted butter with a smooth pale yellow surface, a small white ceramic bowl with fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear orange juice, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of sifted all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy semisweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of thick heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cardamom powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine powdered sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated Sugar: Gives subtle sweetness and a slight crunch to the cookie’s surface.
Fresh Oranges (Zested): Provides that essential bright, citrus aroma and flavor; zest is where most of the oils live.
Unsalted Butter: Key for that melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and highlighting the chocolate and orange.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and complexity to the cookie dough.
Fresh Orange Juice: Adds moisture and a fresh citrus note that keeps the cookies from feeling dry.
Egg Yolk: Helps bind the dough and adds richness without making it cakey.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure of the shortbread; measure carefully for perfect texture.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: Melts beautifully inside to provide that luscious filling.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Paired with chocolate to create the ganache filling—a silky, smooth contrast to the crumbly cookie.
Ground Cardamom (Optional): Adds an exotic, spicy note to the chocolate filling that’s subtle but memorable.
Powdered Sugar: For the orange glaze that adds shine, sweetness, and that extra orange flavor pop.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What makes this Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe really fun is how you can tweak it to suit your taste or occasion. I love adding a pinch of cardamom in the chocolate filling for a warm spice hit, but if you’re not into that, feel free to leave it out or substitute with cinnamon.

Variation: One time, I swapped the chocolate for white chocolate and added toasted coconut—totally dreamy and tropical!
Dietary Mods: For a dairy-free version, try coconut oil instead of butter and coconut cream in place of heavy cream.
Seasonal Twist: Around Christmas, I sprinkle a bit of red sanding sugar on top for festive sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe

The image shows round sandwich cookies with three layers: a light golden brown base cookie, a middle dark chocolate filling, and a top cookie with a white icing covering and a star-shaped hole in the center revealing the chocolate layer below. The top cookie's edges are scalloped, giving a decorative look. The cookies are placed on crumpled brown paper with black text, and next to them are bright orange slices showing their juicy texture. The whole scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Zest and Prep Your Ingredients

Fresh orange zest is the star here, so start by zesting two large oranges carefully—avoid the bitter white pith. Then squeeze the juice—you’ll need some for both the dough and the glaze. Softened butter is a must; I usually let mine sit out for about 30 minutes before baking for the best creaming results.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar for Fluffy Dough

Beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This is crucial to get that tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture. Add in your egg yolk, vanilla, orange zest, orange juice, and salt, mixing well.

Step 3: Add Flour and Chill the Dough

Slowly mix in the all-purpose flour until the dough just comes together—don't overmix! Wrap it in plastic and chill for at least an hour. This step helps the dough firm up, which makes rolling and shaping much easier.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Filling

While the dough chills, heat your heavy cream until just simmering, then pour it over the chocolate and cardamom. Let it sit for a few minutes before stirring until smooth. This luscious ganache will be the cookie’s gooey center.

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Fill

Roll your chilled dough about ¼ inch thick and cut into circles or your favorite shapes. Spoon a small dollop of chocolate filling onto half of the cookies, then top with the remaining cookies, pressing edges gently to seal.

Step 6: Bake and Glaze

Bake at 325°F (160°C) for about 15 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden. Once cool, whisk together powdered sugar with orange juice for a bright glaze, then brush it over the cookies for the perfect glossy finish.

Top Tip

After making these cookies a few times, I've picked up some tricks that make the process smoother and the final results even better. Here are my favorite tips to help you nail this recipe every time.

Chill the Dough Well: Don’t skip this! It prevents spreading and makes cutting neat, which is especially important for sandwich-style cookies.
Use Fresh Orange Zest: The oils in freshly grated zest pack more punch than dried or pre-packaged versions.
Don't Overfill: A little chocolate filling goes a long way; too much might cause the cookies to slide apart when baking.
Gentle Rolling: Roll dough evenly and lightly flour your surface to avoid tough cookies.

How to Serve Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe

Orange Shortbread Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a light dusting of extra powdered sugar or a few thin strips of candied orange peel for added elegance and texture. Sometimes I even sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt right after glazing to highlight the chocolate’s richness.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a creamy latte. For a party, I like to serve them alongside fresh berries or a citrus salad to complement the orange notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging these cookies into a festive wreath shape on a platter for the holidays or placing them in little cellophane bags tied with orange ribbon for charming gift favors. They also look gorgeous stacked on a dessert tower with colorful sprigs of rosemary or mint.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They actually taste better after resting because the flavors meld beautifully, but just be sure to keep them away from heat and humidity.

Freezing

These cookies freeze well, both baked and unbaked. If freezing baked cookies, layer them with parchment paper in a container or freezer bag. For unbaked dough, shape the cookie sandwiches and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a bag. Thaw in the fridge before baking.

Reheating

To freshen up leftovers, pop the cookies in a warm oven for 5-7 minutes—this revives the shortbread’s texture and softens the chocolate without melting it too much. Avoid the microwave, as it can make them greasy or too soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other citrus instead of orange?

Absolutely! Lemon or lime zest adds a different but equally delicious twist. I’ve swapped lemon in the past with great results, just adjust the amount of juice and zest to your taste.

What’s the best way to store these cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, away from heat and moisture. They can also be frozen to extend freshness.

Can I make the chocolate filling ahead of time?

Yes! The chocolate ganache filling can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Bring it to room temperature and stir before filling the cookies.

Can I substitute the butter?

You can try using a high-quality margarine or coconut oil, but the flavor and texture might slightly differ. Butter really gives the richest, flakiest shortbread.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I can’t recommend this Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling Recipe enough for anyone who wants to bake something impressive yet comforting. The way the citrus and chocolate play together in a buttery shortbread makes each cookie feel like a little celebration. Give it a try—I promise, once you taste these, they’ll become a favorite for all your seasonal baking (and beyond!).