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Orange Cookies

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a close up shot of Orange Cookies stacked on top of each other with one having a bite taken out
Orange cookies are a delicious treat with the indulgent and refreshing flavor combination of citrusy orange and creamy frosting.
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Table of Contents
  1. Orange Cookies Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Orange Cookies Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Bursting with the sweet and tangy flavor of oranges, these soft orange cookies are sure to delight the senses. The citrus creates an irresistible aroma that will make your mouth water in anticipation. 

a close up shot of Orange Cookies stacked on top of each other with one having a bite taken out

Orange Cookies Ingredients

Orange Cookies raw ingredients that are labeled
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Orange cookies have a delicious, sweet, and tangy taste that is sure to tantalize the taste buds. 

The citrus flavor of the oranges creates a fresh and zesty aroma, while the icing completes the cookies in just the right way. 

When bitten into, these soft orange cookies are bursting with a juicy sweetness that lingers on the tongue. 

To make this delectable treat, you’ll need:

For The Cookies

  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of grated orange zest
  • ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups of all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • ½ cup of buttermilk
  • ½ cup of orange juice

For The Orange Icing

  • 1½ cups of powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon of orange zest
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons of heavy cream, as needed to thin

Substitutions And Additions

SPICE: For an additional flavor dimension in this orange cookie recipe, add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. 

CITRUS: For more of an intense citrus flavor, use ½ cup of lemon juice instead of orange juice. Or try using a combination of both!

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Add ½ cup of white chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra surprise.

NUTS AND SEEDS: To add crunch and texture to these orange cookies, stir in ¼ cup of chopped walnuts or almonds. 

How To Make This Orange Cookies Recipe

These delicious cookies come together quickly by mixing up simple cookie dough. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake. Finally, mix up the sweet orange glaze before spreading it on top of the cooled cookies.

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make a batch of these yummy cookies.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.

STEP TWO: In a small bowl, use your fingers to mix together the sugar and fresh orange zest, massaging the oils from the zest into the sugar granules. 

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Massaging the orange zest into the sugar is a fantastic trick to really integrate the oils into the cookies. You can alternately use food-grade orange oil in the recipe.

sugar and orange zest mixed together

STEP THREE: Place the softened butter and orange sugar into the large bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl.

STEP FOUR: Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for 2 to 3 minutes more, on high speed, until the mixture pales in color and is fluffy and creamy.

PRO TIP:

Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together well – this is important for achieving a cookie with the right texture. Although the dough will be very soft, it will hold its shape and form a soft, chewy cookie when baked.

egg and vanilla added to the sugar mixture

STEP FIVE: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Then, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

STEP SIX: Add part of the buttermilk and orange juice, followed by the remaining flour mixture and then the remaining liquids. Beat just until combined. The dough will be very soft.

PRO TIP:

This is a no-chill recipe. As soon as the orange cookie dough is made, you can scoop it onto the cookie sheet for baking. 

STEP SEVEN: Scoop using a cookie scoop or teaspoons and place the scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.

STEP EIGHT: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until the tops are set and appear dry on top.

PRO TIP:

Bake just until the cookies are set – they will spread while baking but form a nice little dome. The bottoms of the cookies should be just barely golden; if baked too long, the cookies will be dry.

cookie dough baked for 10 minutes

STEP NINE: Cool the baked cookies for several minutes, and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP TEN: Beat together the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.

STEP ELEVEN: Use an offset spatula or knife to spread the frosting over the tops of the cooled cookies. The frosting will set after 10 to 15 minutes.

frosting spread over the cookies

How To Serve

Orange sugar cookies can be served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vanilla ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even caramel sauce. These flavors will contrast and complement the rich flavor of the orange cookie itself. 

To enhance the overall experience, serve your orange cookies for an afternoon snack with a hot beverage like coffee, tea, or a vanilla latte for an indulgent treat. 

For even more recipes with oranges, have a look at our orange truffles and orange sherbet too.

Storage

ON THE COUNTER: Store the unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Iced orange cookies can be stored on the countertop in an airtight container, stacked with sheets of parchment paper between. The frosting will crust over slightly but will not stay neat if cookies are stacked.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze these sweet cookies in a tightly sealed airtight container for up to 3 months. 

overhead shot of Orange Cookies with sliced oranges

These buttery orange cookies are a delicious treat that you can easily make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re serving them as an afternoon snack or adding some to your dessert repertoire, these orange cookies will surely please any citrus lover. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the topping for these refreshing cookies optional or necessary?

If you would prefer to leave off the icing, these cookies are perfectly delicious on their own.

Can I store these cookies on the counter?

This orange cookie recipe can be stored on the counter for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Can I freeze these cookies?

This great recipe for orange cookies can be frozen for up to three months, either as cookie dough or as baked cookies.

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a close up shot of Orange Cookies stacked on top of each other with one having a bite taken out

Orange Cookies

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Orange cookies are a delicious treat with the indulgent and refreshing flavor combination of citrusy orange and creamy frosting.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 38

Ingredients
  

Cookies

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup orange juice

Icing

  • cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream, as needed to thin

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, use your fingers to mix together the sugar and orange zest, massaging the oils from the zest into the sugar granules.
  • Place the softened butter and orange sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for 2 to 3 minutes more, on high speed, until the mixture pales in color and is fluffy and creamy.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Then, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
  • Add part of the buttermilk and orange juice, followed by the remaining flour mixture and then the remaining liquids. Beat just until combined. The dough will be very soft.
  • Scoop using a cookie scoop or teaspoons and place the scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, until the tops are set and appear dry on top.
  • Cool for several minutes, and then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Beat together the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
  • Use an offset spatula or knife to spread the frosting over the tops of the cookies. The frosting will set after 10 to 15 minutes.

Notes

  • Massaging the orange zest into the sugar is a fantastic trick to really integrate the oils into the cookies. You can alternately use food-grade orange oil in the recipe.
  • Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together well – this is important for achieving a cookie with the right texture. Although the dough will be very soft, it will hold its shape and form a soft, chewy cookie when baked.
  • This is a no-chill recipe. As soon as the orange cookie dough is made, you can scoop it onto the cookie sheet for baking.
  • Bake just until the cookies are set – they will spread while baking but form a nice little dome. The bottoms of the cookies should be just barely golden; if baked too long, the cookies will be dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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