Can I use bottled orange juice and pre-grated zest?

Fresh orange juice and zest make a huge difference here. Bottled juice lacks the punch, and pre-grated zest can be dry or bitter. For best results, go for fresh—you’ll taste the upgrade in every bite.

Can the dough be made ahead and chilled?

Absolutely! If you want to get ahead, the dough can be made and chilled for up to 24 hours. Let it warm slightly before scooping, as it firms up a lot in the fridge.

Is it possible to make these dairy-free?

Yes! Swap butter for your favorite dairy-free spread and use a plant-based buttermilk (mix a splash of lemon juice with any dairy-free milk). The texture remains delightful.

Why are my cookies dry or crumbly?

Most likely they were overbaked. Watch the cookies closely—their bottoms should be just turning color when you pull them out, and they should look matte but not brown on top. Err on the side of underbaking for the best, soft texture.

Orange Cookies Recipe - LittleSpoonBites

Name: Orange Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 4-5 tablespoons heavy cream, as needed to thin

Bursting with bright citrus flavor and boasting the softest, fluffiest texture, these Orange Cookies are the sweet treat your weeknight needs. Imagine biting into a tender, cake-like cookie crowned with a luscious orange glaze—it’s simple, quick, and gloriously satisfying. Not only do these cookies deliver a fresh, sunny aroma that fills the kitchen, but they’re also an absolute breeze to make, making them a perfect choice for any day when you’re short on time but still craving homemade goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast and Fuss-Free: The dough comes together in minutes, and you’ll be pulling out a full cookie sheet in just about 10 minutes of baking. No chilling, no fancy equipment.
Incredibly Flavorful: Thanks to clever tricks like massaging the orange zest into the sugar, each bite bursts with bright citrus.
Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies combine the best of both worlds: fluffy like a little cake, but with just enough chew to keep things interesting.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to play with the flavors or try different toppings, you won’t believe how versatile (and forgiving) this dough can be!
Perfect for Sharing: These beauties look as good as they taste, making them ideal for a sweet gift or a crowd-pleasing batch for family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t worry about a long list—these are mostly pantry basics, plus a little citrus to jazz things up:

Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and, when massaged with orange zest, infuses the dough with deep citrus notes.
Orange Zest: The absolute secret to capturing pure fresh orange flavor—don’t skip this step!
Unsalted Butter: Makes the cookies rich and tender; softened butter is crucial for creaming.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors—choose pure vanilla for best results.
Egg: Binds everything and gives the cookies structure and their soft crumb.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie; gives shape and lightness.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Create lift and softness; their combo keeps cookies fluffy but not dry.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture, subtle tang, and ensures that tender texture.
Orange Juice: Another layer of orange flavor—fresh is always best.
Powdered Sugar (for Icing): Sweet, creamy, and perfect for smooth icing that sets up nicely.
More Butter (for Icing): Melted butter gives a silky richness to the frosting.
Extra Orange Zest & Heavy Cream (for Icing): Intensifies the citrus in the glaze; cream creates a dreamy, spreadable texture.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Cookies are meant for experimenting, so don’t hold back:

Chocolate Chip Citrus: Stir in mini chocolate chips to the dough for sunny chocolate-orange cookies.
Almond Twist: Swap vanilla extract for almond, and add a tablespoon of finely chopped almonds for a slightly nutty flavor.
Extra Zing: Add a pinch of ground ginger in the dough for subtle warmth.
Lemon-Lovers: Love all things citrus? Mix half lemon zest and half orange zest for a more complex, tangy cookie.
Gluten-Free Swap: Use your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend—these cookies handle the swap like a charm.

How to Make Orange Cookies

Creating these cookies is genuinely simple, and with just a bit of technique, the flavors soar:

Step 1: Line and Preheat

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment. No sticking, no scrubbing.

Step 2: Intensify That Orange Flavor

In a small bowl, combine sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers (yes, get in there!) and massage the zest into the sugar until everything’s fragrant and orange-speckled.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Beat the softened butter with your orange sugar in a stand mixer for a minute or two until smooth. Scrape the sides for an even mix.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and super fluffy—don’t skimp on time here; it’s what makes the texture pop.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

Step 6: Alternate Dry and Wet

Add half of the dry mix to the mixer, followed by part of the buttermilk and orange juice. Then add in the rest of the dry ingredients and liquids. Mix just until it all comes together—the dough will be soft.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Scoop the soft dough onto your prepared sheets, spacing each scoop about two inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes; tops should be set but not golden. Let them cool a few minutes on the tray before transferring to a rack.

Step 8: Frost the Cookies

Beat together the icing ingredients (powdered sugar, melted butter, zest, and cream) until thick but spreadable. Swirl a generous layer over each cooled cookie, and let the icing set for about 15 minutes.

That’s it! You’ll have a tray of pillowy, citrusy cookies ready for devouring.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Massage the Zest: Don’t skip infusing the sugar with zest—this makes every bite taste like sunshine.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies are soft and best when just set. If the bottoms are barely golden, they’re perfect. Too long, and they’ll dry out.
Cream Thoroughly: Fluffy butter and sugar equals fluffy cookies; let your mixer do its job!
Soft Dough Is Good: The dough is delicate and may look almost too soft to handle, but that’s what gives you that tender, cake-like bite.

How to Serve

These orange cookies are so versatile, you’ll want to bring them out anytime:

With Afternoon Tea: The citrusy zip pairs beautifully with black or green tea.
Brunch Treat: Brighten up your morning spread with these alongside fruit salad and coffee.
Festive Platter: Add to a cookie platter for celebrations—the burst of color and flavor stands out.
Gift Giving: Stack in cellophane bags or boxes for a homemade present—everyone adores this sweet surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Unfrosted Cookies: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days; freeze for up to 3 months.
Frosted Cookies: Since the icing forms a soft “crust,” you can store them at room temp, layered with parchment. Stacking is not neat, but the cookies stay fresh.

Freezing

Freeze unfrosted cookies tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw, then ice when ready to serve.

Reheating

Not usually necessary, but if you like a warm cookie, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave revives the softness.

FAQs

Can I use bottled orange juice and pre-grated zest?

Fresh orange juice and zest make a huge difference here. Bottled juice lacks the punch, and pre-grated zest can be dry or bitter. For best results, go for fresh—you’ll taste the upgrade in every bite.
Can the dough be made ahead and chilled?

Absolutely! If you want to get ahead, the dough can be made and chilled for up to 24 hours. Let it warm slightly before scooping, as it firms up a lot in the fridge.
Is it possible to make these dairy-free?

Yes! Swap butter for your favorite dairy-free spread and use a plant-based buttermilk (mix a splash of lemon juice with any dairy-free milk). The texture remains delightful.
Why are my cookies dry or crumbly?

Most likely they were overbaked. Watch the cookies closely—their bottoms should be just turning color when you pull them out, and they should look matte but not brown on top. Err on the side of underbaking for the best, soft texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never experienced a truly citrus-forward cookie, these Orange Cookies are the place to start. They’re cheerful, easy, and impressively delicious—and you can whip them up even after a busy day. Whether for an afternoon treat, a festive dessert table, or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to add a touch of sunshine to your kitchen. Trust me, you’ll be glad you made them!