Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe
These delightful Orange Sugar Cookies combine the bright, fresh flavors of orange zest and juice with a tender, buttery dough. Perfectly sweet and lightly citrusy, they are topped with a smooth orange-flavored icing, making them a vibrant treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- 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 the softened butter, sugar, and salt together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Then, beat in the egg, grated orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until well combined.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the dough is firm enough to roll out.
- Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll each disk of dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the cookies on greased baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light brown color. Be careful not to overbake to maintain their soft texture.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the baking sheets and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
- Prepare the Icing: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, 2% milk, and, if desired, orange food coloring. Mix until the icing is smooth and lump-free.
- Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, pipe or spread the orange icing over the tops. Allow the icing to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- You can substitute lemon extract with vanilla extract if lemon is unavailable.
- For a more intense orange flavor, add a teaspoon of orange extract in addition to the zest and juice.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If you prefer, use parchment paper instead of greasing the baking sheets for easier cleanup.
- Optional orange food coloring enhances the icing’s visual appeal but can be omitted without affecting flavor.
Keywords: orange sugar cookies, citrus cookies, orange zest cookies, homemade cookies, cookie recipe, baking cookies
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/orange-sugar-cookies-recipe/
