Let me tell you a little story!
One day, I slowly unraveled a ripe orange, craving nothing more than a fleeting breath of peace… You know that burst of scent when the skin breaks? That’s what inspired these cookies.
These orange cookies aren’t just baked goods, they’re tiny reminders to pause. To breathe. To slow down and enjoy something simple that tastes like sunshine and smells like a spring morning.
They start with melted butter and sugar, like any good cookie, but then comes the twist: a full tablespoon of orange zest, stirred in with love and intention.
The zest isn’t just flavor. It’s texture, its energy, it’s the memory of someone laughing in the kitchen while peeling fruit with sticky fingers.
Jump to
If you’ve never tried baking cookies with real citrus, this is your moment. These cookies are soft, chewy, bright, but not too sweet. They’re dressed up with a tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in just the right way.
One bite and you’ll see: chocolate may be rich, but orange is pure joy.
Why You’ll Love These Orange Cookies
- Soft and chewy meets lightly frosted perfection- These aren’t crunchy or crumbly, they’re soft in the center with just enough structure, and the orange cream cheese frosting? It’s the softest little crown on top.
- They feel fancy but come together fast- These cookies look bakery-worthy, but you can whip them up in under an hour, perfect for last-minute guests or, let’s be honest, random Tuesday cravings.
- They break up the chocolate routine (in the best way)- Look, we love chocolate too, but citrus? Citrus is underrated. These cookies are the sweet reset you didn’t know you needed.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted Butter – The rich, buttery base that makes your cookies soft and flavorful without overpowering the orange.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetness that balances the tangy citrus and gives your cookies that perfect bite.
- Powdered Sugar – It gives your dough a smooth, soft texture and makes the frosting melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Egg & Egg Yolk – The dynamic duo that brings richness and makes the cookies perfectly chewy.
- Vanilla Extract – A little warmth to balance out the zesty orange, adding depth to every bite.
- Orange Extract – A concentrated citrus punch that brings out all the fresh orange flavor in your cookies.
- Fresh Orange Zest – The undeniable centerpiece of it all! It adds vibrant citrus aroma and flavor, making your cookies pop with freshness.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda – The rise and the crisp edges. These two work together to give your cookies just the right texture.
- Salt – Elevates the sweetness while perfectly harmonizing the vibrant citrus notes. It makes everything taste better!
- All-Purpose Flour – The backbone that gives your cookies structure without weighing them down.
- Cream Cheese – The secret to a tangy, smooth frosting that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cookies.
- Fresh Orange Juice – Adds a burst of citrusy goodness to the frosting and helps it reach the perfect consistency.
How to Make Orange Cookies
Set the scene with a warm oven and lined baking sheet
Before you begin, ensure your oven is fully heated by preheating it to 350°F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. It’s like a little gift for your cookies, making sure they bake evenly and don’t stick.
Melt the butter, then sweeten the deal
Pop your unsalted butter into a small bowl and give it a quick melt in the microwave (about 30-40 seconds should do the trick).
Drizzle the melted butter into a spacious mixing bowl, then blend in both the granulated and powdered sugars. Stir them together for around 10 seconds, creating a rich, buttery foundation.
Add the eggs and citrus love
Break the egg and extra yolk into the bowl, then stir in the vanilla and orange extracts along with the fragrant orange zest. Blend everything thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. The zest infuses a lively burst of orange essence and an irresistible aroma that truly steals the show.
Blend in the dry ingredients
Time to add the dry stuff! Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until everything is nicely mixed together. Take it easy, just mix enough to bring the dough together without overworking it.
Mix in the flour, slow and steady
Gradually incorporate your all-purpose flour, adding it in about half-cup increments.
Mix it in slowly, just until the dough comes together. The key is to stop mixing when it’s barely combined, this way, your cookies will stay soft and light, not dense.
Shape the dough and prep for baking
Now, grab about 3 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll it into a ball. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers, giving them a little press so they bake evenly.
Don’t let the dough sit too long before shaping; you want it to stay soft and easy to work with. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, all set for baking!
Bake to golden perfection
Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. You might think they’re underdone, but that’s totally normal! They’ll continue to set on the hot baking sheet, so don’t stress if they seem a little soft at first.
If you’re not sure, leave them in for a minute or so longer, just keep an eye on them.
Cool down and prep the frosting
Once you take the cookies out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial, give them time to firm up and set. While they’re cooling, let’s whip up that frosting!
Beat together the unsalted butter and cream cheese in a bowl until it’s light and creamy.
Fold in the vanilla and orange extracts, a splash of fresh orange juice, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Keep it on low speed to start, then crank it up to high and beat for about 2 minutes, until it’s smooth and fluffy.
Frost and top with zest
Now, it’s frosting time! Once your cookies are completely cool, spread that creamy orange frosting generously on each one. Elevate the citrus taste by topping it off with a gentle dusting of orange zest.
3 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Orange Cookies
1- Not measuring your flour properly
It’s easy to go overboard with flour! If you scoop it straight from the bag, you might end up using too much, which could make your cookies dense instead of light and soft. To avoid this, carefully spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off.
2- Overmixing the dough
It might be tempting to mix the dough until it’s perfectly smooth, but overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Once the dough is smooth and all the flour is fully incorporated, stop mixing immediately!
A little bit of lumps is totally fine, and your cookies will still turn out soft and delicious.
3- Skipping the cooling time
I know, you’re excited to frost and eat these cookies, but don’t skip the cooling time!
If you frost the cookies while they’re still warm, the frosting can melt, and it just won’t have that creamy texture we’re going for.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
How to Store Your Orange Cookies
- Room temp magic: Pop your cookies in an airtight container and keep them on the counter for up to 3 days. They’ll stay soft and fresh, just like when they first came out of the oven!
- Fridge time: Need them to last a little longer? Stick them in the fridge! Just make sure they’re in a sealed container so they don’t get any weird fridge smells. They’ll last about a week, perfect for snacking all week long.
- Freeze them for later: Want to keep your cookies on hand for those “I need something sweet” moments? Freeze them! Just stash them in a zip-top bag or airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
More Unique Cookies You’ll Love to Try
The Best Orange Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese chilled
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
- 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to help your cookies bake evenly and avoid sticking.
- Melt your butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30-40 seconds, then pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add both granulated sugar and powdered sugar and mix them together for about 10 seconds until well combined.
- Crack in the egg and egg yolk, then add the vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest. Stir everything together until fully combined, letting that zesty, fragrant orange shine through.
- Next, mix in the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until everything is just combined. Remember, don’t overmix here, gentle is the key!
- Next, slowly add your flour, half a cup at a time. Mix just until it comes together, no more! This will help keep the cookies soft and light.
- Grab about 3 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll it into balls. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers, making sure they bake evenly. Don’t let the dough sit for too long before shaping, it’s easier to work with when it’s fresh.
- Place the flattened dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies might look a little soft when you pull them out, but they’ll firm up on the baking sheet as they cool. If you feel unsure, bake them a minute longer, but don’t stress!
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to set before moving them. While they cool, prepare your frosting by beating the softened butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract, orange extract, orange juice, and powdered sugar, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high.
- Beat for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Once your cookies have fully cooled, generously spread the frosting on each one and top with a sprinkle of fresh orange zest for that extra burst of citrus flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overmix your dough after adding the flour. Mix until it just comes together, and stop.
- For extra orange flavor, add a little more orange zest into the frosting.
