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Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 628 reviews

Delight your taste buds with these zesty Orange Sugar Cookies featuring a buttery base infused with fresh orange zest and juice, perfectly balanced with a hint of lemon extract. Topped with a smooth, sweet orange-flavored icing, these cookies are a refreshing twist on a classic treat, ideal for sharing during any festive occasion or simply to brighten your day.

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

  1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, sugar, and salt together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes. This process incorporates air into the dough, creating a tender cookie texture. Beat in the egg, grated orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until well combined.
  2. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make the cookies tough.
  3. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until the dough is firm enough to roll out, which helps maintain the shape during baking.
  4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Cookies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out each dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
  5. Bake the Cookies: Place the cut cookies 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets to prevent sticking. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn light brown, signifying they are perfectly baked with a tender center.
  6. Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the baking sheets and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
  7. Prepare and Apply Icing: In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, 2% milk, and orange food coloring if using, mixing until smooth. Once the cookies are fully cooled, pipe or spread the icing evenly over each cookie. Let them stand at room temperature until the icing sets, creating a sweet, glossy finish.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice.
  • Making sure the butter is softened—not melted—will yield the best dough consistency.
  • If you prefer, substitute lemon extract with vanilla extract for a different twist.
  • For more vibrant color in the icing, adjust the amount of orange food coloring or omit it for a natural look.
  • Store the iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh for up to 5 days.
  • These cookies freeze well—freeze dough disks before baking or freeze baked cookies for later enjoyment.

Keywords: Orange sugar cookies, citrus cookies, iced sugar cookies, homemade cookies, holiday cookies, orange zest cookies

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/orange-sugar-cookies-recipe/