Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the baking sheets immediately and transfer them to wire racks. Allow them to cool completely before icing.
- 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
Find it online: https://kitchenbynora.com/orange-sugar-cookies-recipe/
