Imagine chocolate chunk cookies made with creamy milk chocolate, oranze zest, and toasted pecans. The optional diced candied orange is a fantastic addition.
Our Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Orange & Pecans have a with a history! These cookies have followed Dédé for 30+ years.
Let us explain.
She came up with the first version of Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Orange & Pecans in 1986 when she was developing recipes for the Black Sheep Deli & Bakery in Amherst, MA. Robin was managing the store and Dédé was back in the kitchen turning out cakes and cookies, soups and salads – actually kinda like now! But we digress…
The original was not gluten-free and always featured candied orange peel and they were huge! People loved them so much that when Robin and Dédé left to open their Harvest Moon Bakery, also in Amherst, they took the recipe with them, but because the cookies were so beloved, bakers at the Black Sheep continued to make them.
It was like the cookie was bigger than any one of us. Hey, spread the love, that’s what we say.
Into the GF & Low FODMAP World
So when FODMAP Everyday® was conceived, well, this cookie HAD to be included. It had never NOT been part of our lives! We had to FODMAP IT!™. Turns out that it works very well as a gluten-free version.
Following the Low FODMAP diet means making choices, picking battles, trying things and taking notes! Try one cookie, or even a half and see how you do. And check out our recipe for White Chocolate Espresso Chunk Cookies as well.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
This recipe, as with all of our recipes, is low FODMAP if you adhere to the suggested serving sizes. You can read more in our article, What Is A Low FODMAP Serving Size?
Here is a glance at the standout ingredients used in our Low FODMAP Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Orange & Pecans:
- Milk Chocolate: Dark, milk, and white chocolate have low FODMAP servings. Milk chocolate is low FODMAP in 20 g amounts. Read more in our article All About Milk Chocolate & The Low FODMAP Diet. In that article we show you in pictures how much milk chocolate is low FODMAP approved – which is a handy thing to know.
- Candied Peel: Monash University has lab tested mixed peel and it is low FODMAP at 50 g (⅓ cup) servings, which is quite generous. Mixed peel is typically orange, lemon and citron, but they have not given any further information other than what is in their app.
- Orange Zest: Monash has lab tested orange rind nd it is low FODMAP in 5 g amounts, but note that it does not become Moderate until 275 g.
- Pecans: Pecans have been lab tested by both Monash and FODMAP Friendly. Monash says that a low FODMAP serving size is 15 pecan halves or 30g. The now removed small print told us that they are not High FODMAP until they reach a 100 g serving size, or about 40 halves. The FODMAP Friendly lab tested low FODMAP amount is ¼ cup (30 g; approximately 15 pecan halves). The max low FODMAP serving is 120 g.
FODMAP Information
All recipes are based upon Monash University & FODMAP Friendly science at time of initial publication.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar has been lab tested by both Monash University and FODMAP Friendly. There are many kinds of brown sugar, from cane to beet (to blends) to Muscovado and more, which we discuss in our Explore An Ingredient: Sugar. Unfortunately, there is no information about what kind of brown sugars were lab tested. Monash gives us a low FODMAP amount of ¼ cup or 40 g but no further information. In addition, in private correspondence with Monash University we know that there are amounts larger than 40 g that would be considered low FODMAP. FODMAP Friendly gives us a low FODMAP amount of 13 g. Dark brown Muscovado sugar does appear in a product lab tested and certified low FODMAP by FODMAP Friendly, so we do know there is a low FODMAP amount.
- Butter: Both Monash University and FODMAP Friendly have lab tested butter. Monash states that a low FODMAP Green Light portion is 1 tablespoon or 19 g and also states that “butter is high in fat and does not contain carbohydrates (FODMAPs)”. FODMAP Friendly used to give it a “Pass” at 1 tablespoon or 19 g. Both recommended serving sizes are/were presented as part of healthy eating guidelines, not as maximum FODMAP serving size. Fat can affect guy motility and trigger IBS symptoms in some people. Currently FODMAP Friendly lists butter as containing no FODMAPs, which is more accurate to FODMAP content, and does not overlay government guidelines. Eat to your tolerance.
- Chocolate: Monash University has lab tested dark, milk and white chocolate all have low FODMAP amounts: 85% dark at 20 g; dark at 30 g; milk at 20 g; white at 25 g. FODMAP Friendly has also lab tested dark chocolate, milk and white chocolate. Their lab tests place low FODMAP servings for dark chocolate at 30 g, with a max low FODMAP serving size of 102 g (that contains dairy). Milk chocolate is 30 g with a 42 g max serve; white chocolate is also 30 g with a max low FODMAP serve of 42 g.
- Eggs: Eggs are high in protein and do not contain carbohydrates, according to Monash University.
- Pecans: Monash and FODMAP Friendly have both lab tested pecans. Monash says that a low FODMAP serving size is 15 pecan halves or 30g. The now removed small print told us that they are not High FODMAP until they reach a 100 g serving size, or about 40 halves. The FODMAP Friendly lab tested low FODMAP amount is ¼ cup (30 g; approximately 15 pecan halves). The max low FODMAP serving is 120 g.
Please always refer to the Monash University & FODMAP Friendly smartphone apps for the most up-to-date lab tested information. Foods will be retested from time to time; in the case of raw ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables, results may vary. All lab tested results are valid and represent a snapshot in time. As always, your tolerance is what counts; please eat accordingly. The ultimate goal of the low FODMAP diet is to eat as broadly as possible, without triggering symptoms, for the healthiest microbiome.
FODMAP IT!™ Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Orange & Pecans
These are indulgent milk chocolate chunk cookies that can be enjoyed on a low FODMAP diet – if you stick to serving size recommendations.
Low FODMAP Serving Size Info: Makes about 2 dozen cookies; serving size 1 to 2 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 1/3 cups (338 g) gluten free all-purpose flour; such as Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Blend
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks; 226 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces
- 1 cup (213 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (99 g) sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest, made with a rasp style zester
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 8 ounces (225 g; about 1 ½ cups) milk chocolate chunks, cut into approximately ½ inch (12 mm pieces; we like Callebaut or Scharffen Berger)
- 1 cup (100 g) lightly toasted whole pecans, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 g) diced candied orange peel, optional
Preparation:
-
Whisk together flour blend, baking soda and salt to aerate and combine; set aside.
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Beat butter with electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until creamy. Add brown sugar and sugar and beat until lightened, about 3 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed. Beat in orange zest and vanilla, then beat in eggs one at a time allowing each one to be incorporated before adding the next. Beat in the dry mixture until a few streaks of flour remain. Add chocolate and pecans, and candied oranfe, if using, and beat just until combined. Cover the bowl and chill for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
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Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Preheat oven to 375°F/190° Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Form golf ball sized balls and place the cookies 8 per pan, spaced evenly apart. No need to press them down.
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Bake for about 9 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned with the edges firmer than the centers, which should be soft. The cookies firm up tremendously upon cooling. Cool cookies completely on pans set on racks. (Make subsequent batches with cooled pans). Cookies are best served the same day but may be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes:
If You Can Tolerate
- Fructans: If you have passed the fructan wheat Challenge you can use unbleached all-purpose flour instead of the gluten-free. Use weight measurements to make this substitution for best results and note that the cookies will no longer be gluten-free.
FODMAP Information
All recipes are based upon Monash University & FODMAP Friendly science at time of initial publication.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar has been lab tested by both Monash University and FODMAP Friendly. There are many kinds of brown sugar, from cane to beet (to blends) to Muscovado and more, which we discuss in our Explore An Ingredient: Sugar. Unfortunately, there is no information about what kind of brown sugars were lab tested. Monash gives us a low FODMAP amount of ¼ cup or 40 g but no further information. In addition, in private correspondence with Monash University we know that there are amounts larger than 40 g that would be considered low FODMAP. FODMAP Friendly gives us a low FODMAP amount of 13 g. Dark brown Muscovado sugar does appear in a product lab tested and certified low FODMAP by FODMAP Friendly, so we do know there is a low FODMAP amount.
- Butter: Both Monash University and FODMAP Friendly have lab tested butter. Monash states that a low FODMAP Green Light portion is 1 tablespoon or 19 g and also states that “butter is high in fat and does not contain carbohydrates (FODMAPs)”. FODMAP Friendly used to give it a “Pass” at 1 tablespoon or 19 g. Both recommended serving sizes are/were presented as part of healthy eating guidelines, not as maximum FODMAP serving size. Fat can affect guy motility and trigger IBS symptoms in some people. Currently FODMAP Friendly lists butter as containing no FODMAPs, which is more accurate to FODMAP content, and does not overlay government guidelines. Eat to your tolerance.
- Chocolate: Monash University has lab tested dark, milk and white chocolate all have low FODMAP amounts: 85% dark at 20 g; dark at 30 g; milk at 20 g; white at 25 g. FODMAP Friendly has also lab tested dark chocolate, milk and white chocolate. Their lab tests place low FODMAP servings for dark chocolate at 30 g, with a max low FODMAP serving size of 102 g (that contains dairy). Milk chocolate is 30 g with a 42 g max serve; white chocolate is also 30 g with a max low FODMAP serve of 42 g.
- Eggs: Eggs are high in protein and do not contain carbohydrates, according to Monash University.
- Pecans: Monash and FODMAP Friendly have both lab tested pecans. Monash says that a low FODMAP serving size is 15 pecan halves or 30g. The now removed small print told us that they are not High FODMAP until they reach a 100 g serving size, or about 40 halves. The FODMAP Friendly lab tested low FODMAP amount is ¼ cup (30 g; approximately 15 pecan halves). The max low FODMAP serving is 120 g.
Please always refer to the Monash University & FODMAP Friendly smartphone apps for the most up-to-date lab tested information. Foods will be retested from time to time; in the case of raw ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables, results may vary. All lab tested results are valid and represent a snapshot in time. As always, your tolerance is what counts; please eat accordingly. The ultimate goal of the low FODMAP diet is to eat as broadly as possible, without triggering symptoms, for the healthiest microbiome.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. For a more detailed explanation, please read our article Understanding The Nutrition Panel Within Our Recipes.
