Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Orange Sugar Cookies are a bright and cheerful twist on a classic favorite, bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Soft and tender with a smooth, sweet orange glaze, they make a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 4 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons 2% milk
• 3 drops orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and salt together until light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Beat in the egg, orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until well combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour on low speed, mixing just until incorporated to form the dough.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to roll.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll each chilled dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
6. Step 6: Place the cookies about 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn light brown.
7. Step 7: Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let cool completely before icing.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and if desired, the orange food coloring until smooth. Pipe or spread this icing over the cooled cookies.
9. Step 9: Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of finely chopped candied orange peel to the dough.
• If you prefer a thicker icing, add more confectioners’ sugar or reduce the milk slightly.
• Try substituting lemon extract with vanilla for a milder citrus note.
• Use a zester to grate the orange zest finely, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the uniced cookies in a single layer wrapped tightly, then thaw before baking or icing. Reheat iced cookies gently in a low oven to revive freshness, but avoid microwaving as it can soften the icing too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

Yes, but lemon extract has a more concentrated flavor without adding extra liquid. If you use lemon juice, reduce the orange juice slightly to keep the dough consistency right.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling and cutting. Using cold baking sheets and not over-creaming the butter and sugar also helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.

Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 150 reviews

Delight in these classic Orange Sugar Cookies, featuring a tender, buttery dough infused with fresh orange zest and juice for a bright, citrusy flavor. Perfectly soft and topped with a smooth orange-flavored icing, these cookies are a refreshing twist on a beloved favorite, great for any occasion or gift.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 3 dozen cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 4 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Icing

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons 2% milk
• 3 drops orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 5-7 minutes. Then beat in the egg, freshly grated orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until fully combined.
2. Add the Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture using a low-speed setting to avoid overmixing, until the dough just comes together.
3. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to roll out comfortably.
4. Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
5. Bake the Cookies: Arrange the cut cookies on greased baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges start to turn a light golden brown.
6. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the baking sheets immediately and transfer them to wire racks. Allow them to cool completely before icing.
7. Prepare and Apply Icing: In a small bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar, 2% milk, and orange food coloring (if using) until smooth. Spread or pipe the icing over the cooled cookies. Let the icing set before serving or storing.

Notes

• For best flavor, use freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice.
• Make sure butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes rolling easier.
• The orange food coloring is optional but adds a vibrant touch to the icing.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Keywords: orange sugar cookies, citrus cookies, soft sugar cookies, orange zest cookies, homemade cookies