Orange Sugar Cookies

A stack of two cookies with a bite taken out of the top one.

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.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 9

Total Time 24

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cookies

Calories 179 kcal

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.