If you are looking for a sugar cookie with the best zesty orange flavor, these Orange Sugar Cookies are it! There is fresh orange zest in every element of this cookie - the dough, the sugar they are rolled in, and the glaze. You can even sprinkle the tops with a little bit of leftover orange sugar, if you want! These cookies are bright, cheery and perfect for a spring or summer treat.
This is a simple recipe that takes an ordinary sugar cookie to a bright new place. The orange zest throughout each element of these cookies will have you reaching for more than one!
These bake up soft in the center, a bit crunchy from the sugar coating on the outside and are topped with a light glaze. They are not only the perfect texture combination for eating, but they are pretty to look at too!
I have tested these several times and each time the entire batch disappears quickly. Whether you are a cookie for breakfast kind of person or just like a sweet treat after a meal, these zesty orange cookies are perfect!
For more orange recipes, try: Glazed Orange Bundt Cake, Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns with Orange Zest or Fresh Blueberry Orange Buttermilk Scones.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- The texture. Is there even anything better than a cookie with a soft center, crunchy edges and cool glaze on top? I didn’t think so. These cookies have all of those things going on and it’s hard to have just one.
- The orange zest. If you are a fan of orange flavored baked goods, then these cookies will be some of your favorites. The orange flavor is definitely not lacking in these and while it seems like a bit much to have orange zest in every element of this recipe, it really isn’t. They are perfectly flavored!
- They are easy to make. These cookies are simple to make, don’t require any difficult ingredients and only require 10 minutes of chill time. You could have a batch of these whipped up, baked and ready to eat in an hour. The best part? This recipe has several steps that are perfect for tiny kitchen helpers who need a task!
Ingredients Needed
Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make the best sugar cookies.
- Sugar
- Orange zest: Use orange zest in the dough, the rolling sugar and the glaze.
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Butter: I prefer to use salted butter, but you could salted or unsalted. It is really a personal preference.
- Powdered sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is used in the cookie dough and in the glaze on top.
- Orange juice: Use fresh squeezed orange juice in the glaze.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Orange zest and juice: Take these cookies in a totally different direction with lemon or lime zest instead of the orange zest. If you choose to do this, I would also replace the orange juice with the lemon juice or lime juice in the glaze.
This recipe has not been tested with these substitutions or variations. If you give any of these a try, please let me know how it worked out in the comments below!
Equipment Needed
- Microplane: I like to zest citrus fruit on a microplane or a box grater.
- Baking sheet: I do a majority of my baking on a large baking sheet.
- Stand mixer: Every kitchen needs a good stand mixer! It can be used for so many different kitchen tasks.
- Parchment paper: I love these pre cut parchment paper sheets. It is so easy to pull one of these out and have your baking sheet lined without fussing around with getting it just the right size.
- Cookie Scoop: Using a cookie scoop for your cookie dough will ensure you get uniform cookie shapes and sizes.
Step by Step Instructions
For the Sugar:
STEP 1: Combine the sugar and orange zest in a medium sized bowl.
STEP 2: Using your fingers, massage the zest into the sugar until thoroughly combined.
For the Cookies:
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
STEP 2: In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.
STEP 3: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
STEP 4: Scrape the bottom and sides with a rubber spatula and add the egg, vanilla and orange zest. Beat for 1 minute, or until smooth and fully combined.
STEP 5: With the mixer running on low, gradually add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
STEP 6: Using a small cookie scoop, portion out the dough into your hands, roll into a ball, then roll in the reserved orange sugar.
STEP 7: Place the dough ball on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough balls, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
STEP 8: Using the bottom of a glass, gently flatten each dough ball.
STEP 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edges. Remove from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
For the Glaze:
STEP 1: In a medium sized bowl, combine 1 cup of the powdered sugar, juice of one orange and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth, adding more powdered sugar if necessary to reach the desired consistency.
STEP 2: Place a baking sheet or parchment paper under the cooling rack. Spoon the glaze on top of the cooled cookies and sprinkle with the reserved sugar mixture, if desired.
Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks for making this perfect sugar cookie recipe:
- When choosing a glass for gently flattening the cookies, be sure to choose one that is larger than the dough ball once flattened. This will ensure your cookies are flat on top with a dent from the edge of the glass.
- To get a super smooth glaze you can sift the powdered sugar into the bowl. This helps remove any sugar clumps that may be present in your powdered sugar.
- If your glaze is too thick, add some heavy whipping cream one teaspoon at a time until it's the correct consistency for spooning on the cookies.
FAQ
I would stick with the orange zest. I have not tested this recipe substituting orange juice and I think the added moisture will not work. The orange zest gives the perfect orange flavor and really is the star of this entire recipe.
For this recipe refrigerating the dough before baking is not necessary. If you find that the dough is too soft once it is mixed together feel free to pop in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm it up a bit.
Absolutely. I would follow this recipe all the way up to the actual baking part and then freeze the dough. So once they are rolled in the sugar, place them back on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for 20 minutes or until the dough balls are firm. Transfer the dough balls to a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake them, take them out of the freezer and bake as directed. Cooking time may need to be extended a bit, so just keep your eyes on them towards the end of baking.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of using the orange glaze, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cookies. Chocolate and orange make a great flavor combination!
- Mix about ½ cup of dried cranberries into the dough.
- Use a combination of citrus zests for a complex citrus flavor.
- Add 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom or cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warmer flavor profile.
Storing and Freezing
Refrigerator
Store cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Cookies can be frozen in an airtight container or a zip top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature serving.
More Recipes to Try
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Recipe
Orange Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Sugar:
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Zest of one orange
For the Glaze:
- 1-2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Juice from 1 orange
Instructions
For the Sugar:
- Combine the sugar and orange zest in a bowl. Using your fingers, massage zest into the sugar.½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.2 cups flour, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.¾ cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar
- Add the egg, vanilla and orange zest. Beat until combined, about 1 minute.1 large egg, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, Zest of one orange
- With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture and mix just until combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, portion out dough into your hand, roll into a ball and then in the orange sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Using the bottom of a glass, gently flatten each dough ball.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edges.
- Remove from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
For the Glaze:
- While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, juice of one orange and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if necessary until desired consistency is reached.1-2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, Juice from 1 orange
- Once the cookies are cool, spoon the glaze on top of the cookies, sprinkle with the reserved orange sugar, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.
Ashlyn Meredith says
These cookies are the best!
Jean says
Such a refreshing taste. Delicious!