These Orange Cookies are a burst of citrusy sunshine in every bite, with a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. Infused with the zesty aroma of fresh oranges, they strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Ready in just 26 minutes, they’re a quick and delightful way to brighten your day or impress guests with minimal effort.
Each cookie is a golden delight, offering a rich buttery flavor complemented by the vibrant citrus notes. With only 15 minutes of prep and 11 minutes of baking, you’ll have a batch of 31 cookies that are as easy to make as they are delicious. Perfect for sharing or savoring solo, these cookies are a cheerful addition to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients for Orange Cookies
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened (can substitute with salted butter, but reduce added salt)
- 1 ⅓ cups (267 g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest (freshly grated for best flavor)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 Tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 3 ⅓ cups (416 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 Tablespoons (56 g) butter, salted or unsalted, softened
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest, plus additional for topping (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, sugar, and orange zest. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks and beat until fully combined.
- While stirring, slowly drizzle in orange juice until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until completely combined.
- Scoop dough into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls, roll gently between your palms, and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” apart.
- Bake on the center rack for 11 minutes. Within one minute of removing from the oven, gently flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass to create a flat surface for frosting.
- While cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in orange juice and zest until well incorporated.
- Once cookies are completely cooled, spread frosting on top. Optionally, sprinkle with additional orange zest. Serve and enjoy!
Creative Frosting and Topping Ideas
While the orange cream cheese frosting is delicious, you can switch it up! Try a white chocolate drizzle for a sweet twist, or sprinkle crushed pistachios on top for a nutty crunch. For a festive touch, add edible glitter or colorful sprinkles to match the occasion.
Perfect Pairings for Serving
These orange cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or freshly brewed coffee. For a dessert platter, serve them alongside lemon bars or vanilla ice cream to balance the citrus flavor. They’re also great as a light treat after a meal!
Storage Tips for Freshness
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze them (without frosting) for up to 2 months. Let them thaw and frost just before serving for the best texture.
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Bakers
To save time, prepare the cookie dough ahead and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. You can also double the batch and freeze half for future baking. Use a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies quickly, and flatten them with a glass while they’re still warm for a perfect base for frosting.
Common Questions Answered
Can I use bottled orange juice? Yes, but fresh orange juice will give a brighter flavor. Can I substitute the egg yolks? You can use one whole egg instead, but the texture may be slightly different. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much? Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking.
Orange Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 Tablespoons orange juice
- 3 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 Tablespoons butter salted or unsalted, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest plus additional for topping, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, combine butter, sugar, and orange zest and beat well until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg yolks until combined.
- While stirring, slowly drizzle in orange juice until combined.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until completely combined.
- Scoop into 1 ½ tablespoon sized balls and roll gently between your palms to form into round balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” apart.
- Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for 11 minutes. Remove from oven and, within one minute of removing from oven, use the clean bottom of a glass to gently flatten each cookie to create a flat surface for the frosting.
- While cookies are cooling, prepare frosting.
- Frosting
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually stir in powdered sugar until combined.
- Add orange juice and orange zest and stir until well incorporated.
- Once cookies are completely cooled, spread frosting on top of cookies. If desired, top with additional orange zest. Serve and enjoy.