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!