Cinnamon swirls, lemon swirls…I like them all. This time I combined chocolate with orange, threw in some walnuts and got another flavorful swirls. Feel free to use any nuts. Recently, I really grew to like the combination of orange and walnuts.
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Chocolate orange walnut swirls
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 swirls 1x
Description
These Chocolate Orange Walnut Swirls combine the rich flavors of dark chocolate and orange zest with the crunch of walnuts in a delightful pastry.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups (450 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50 g) butter, melted
- 1 oz (30 g) sugar
- 2 tsp (7 g) dry instant yeast
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) lukewarm water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup (90 g) dark chocolate, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar for filling
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk with 1 tbsp of sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 oz (30 g) sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the egg yolk, melted butter, and lukewarm water to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the yeast mixture and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts, dark chocolate, orange zest, and 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log, starting from one of the longer sides.
- Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up.
- Brush the tops with the beaten egg for a shiny finish.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the swirls are golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with your favorite nuts.
- These swirls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 swirl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 30
Find it online: https://honestcooking.com/chocolate-orange-walnut-swirls/
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the yeast dough need to rise?
After kneading for about 10 minutes, the dough should be covered and left in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. This rise develops the flavor and makes the swirls light and fluffy rather than dense after the 35–40 minute bake. 
Can I use different nuts instead of walnuts?
Yes — the article explicitly invites you to use any nuts you like, and the notes echo this. The ½ cup of chopped walnuts can be swapped for pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds; the key flavors driving the filling are the ½ cup of dark chocolate, orange zest, and ¼ cup of sugar.
How do I reheat leftover swirls to restore their texture?
The notes recommend reheating in the oven for a few minutes to refresh the texture. These are best fresh but keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days — a brief oven warm restores the slight crispness on the outside that softens as they sit.
