Fluffy Orange Sugar Cookie Recipe: A Sweet Citrus Delight

Baking delightful soft orange sugar cookies transports you to a world of sweet, citrusy bliss.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats burst with bright, zesty flavors that dance on your palate.

Every bite promises a delicate balance of tangy orange and sugary goodness.

Sunlight seems to shimmer through the golden-edged cookies, hinting at their tender crumb and irresistible aroma.

The kitchen fills with a warm, inviting fragrance that beckons everyone near.

Each cookie carries a subtle brightness that lifts spirits and sparks joy.

Let’s find out this simple recipe and create a batch of sunshine you can savor and share.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 25

Soft Orange Sugar Cookies Ingredient Guide

• Eggs: Fresh, room temperature eggs help create a smooth, consistent cookie texture and enhance binding.
• Powdered Sugar: Ultra-fine sugar provides silky smoothness and helps create a delicate cookie structure.
• Plant-Based Butter: Softened butter ensures even mixing and delivers rich, creamy flavor with tender crumb.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus oils from fresh orange peel infuse vibrant, aromatic notes into the cookie.

• All-Purpose Flour: Unbleached flour creates sturdy cookie base with perfect protein content for crisp edges.
• Corn Starch: Adds tenderness and helps prevent gluten development for softer cookie texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides gentle lifting and helps cookies rise evenly with soft, light crumb.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and promotes golden-brown exterior.

• Orange Extract: Concentrated citrus essence amplifies natural orange zest with intense, pure flavor.
• Additional Orange Zest: Fresh citrus zest boosts bright, aromatic orange notes in final decoration.
• Orange Juice: Adds extra citrusy tang and moisture to enhance overall orange flavor profile.

Baking Tool for Soft Orange Sugar Cookies

• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Tablespoon: Helps scoop consistent cookie dough portions.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cookie removal and prevents sticking.
• Baking sheet: Provides even heat distribution for baking cookies.
• Whisk: Needed for creating smooth icing.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Zester or grater: Used for creating fresh orange zest.

Instructions for Soft Orange Sugar Cookie Magic

• Kitchen Setup

Gather all necessary baking tools and create a clean workspace for cookie preparation.

• Butter Base

Cream softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundation for your cookies.

• Citrus Infusion

Blend orange extract and fresh zest into the butter mixture, introducing vibrant citrus notes that will define the cookie’s unique flavor profile.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Gently fold in baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and flour, mixing until ingredients are just combined without overmixing.

• Dough Resting

Allow the cookie dough to rest at room temperature, enabling ingredients to meld and develop deeper flavor characteristics.

• Cookie Formation

Scoop rounded portions of dough onto a prepared baking sheet, gently pressing each mound to create uniform shapes that will bake evenly.

• Baking Magic

Slide the cookie sheet into a preheated oven and bake until edges turn a delicate golden color, signaling perfect doneness.

• Zesty Finishing

Craft a luminous orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar with citrus juice, then drizzle elegantly over cooled cookies and sprinkle additional zest for a bright, refreshing touch.

Soft Orange Sugar Cookies: Flavor Tips & Ideas

• Elevate these soft cookies by experimenting with different citrus zests like lemon or lime for a refreshing flavor variation that keeps taste buds dancing.
• Prepare cookie dough up to three days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and saving precious prep time.
• For extra softness, replace some flour with corn starch and avoid overmixing the dough, which helps prevent tough, dense cookies that nobody wants to nibble.
• Jazz up the orange glaze by adding a tiny splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur for sophisticated adults-only treats that bring unexpected depth to each sweet bite.
• Keep these delicate cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to five days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their irresistible softness.

Ways to Present Soft Orange Sugar Cookies

• Orange Zest Brunch Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with a fresh citrus mimosa or a light orange-infused green tea for a perfect weekend morning treat.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange these soft cookies alongside lemon bars, lavender shortbread, and white chocolate truffles to create an elegant citrus-themed dessert spread that will impress guests.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap these cookies in clear cellophane with a bright orange ribbon, adding a handwritten note for a thoughtful homemade gift that brings sunshine to anyone's day.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve these cookies on a delicate ceramic plate during afternoon tea, complementing them with light cream cheese or a dollop of orange marmalade for an extra burst of citrusy flavor.

Save and Store Soft Orange Sugar Cookies

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep these delightful orange sugar cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stack them carefully between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their soft texture.
• Freezer Magic: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These treats will stay delicious for 2-3 months, allowing you to enjoy a sweet surprise anytime a craving hits.
• Make-Ahead Dough Trick: Prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. Alternatively, shape the dough into balls and freeze them uncooked, ready to bake directly from frozen with just a minute or two of extra baking time.
• Room Temperature Charm: Let cookies sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance their soft, tender texture. This quick step helps bring out the vibrant orange flavors and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth experience for everyone enjoying these delectable treats.

Heavenly Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Irresistible orange sugar cookies blend zesty citrus notes with sweet, buttery perfection. Delicate crumbs and bright glaze create a memorable dessert you’ll crave with afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¾ cups (358 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (255 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ⅔ cup (150 grams) plant-based butter, softened
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tsps orange extract
• 1 zest from 1 large navel orange
• 1 zest from up to 2 large navel oranges
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ cup (32 grams) corn starch

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C), line baking sheet with parchment paper, and bring eggs to room temperature by soaking in warm water.
2. Mixing Base: Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, then incorporate eggs, orange extract, and orange zest, blending until smooth and fragrant.
3. Dry Ingredients: Sift baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and flour, gently folding into wet mixture until just combined; let dough rest for 15 minutes to develop flavor and texture.
4. Shaping Cookies: Scoop dough into rounded portions, place on prepared baking sheet, and gently flatten each cookie to ensure even baking.
5. Baking Process: Bake for 9-10 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges that signal perfect doneness; allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
6. Glazing Finale: Whisk powdered sugar with orange extract and juice to create a smooth glaze, drizzle generously over completely cooled cookies, and sprinkle with additional orange zest for vibrant flavor and visual appeal.
7. Storage: Let glaze set completely before storing cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and softness.

Notes

• Egg Temperature Trick: Warm eggs blend more evenly, creating a smoother cookie dough texture and preventing ingredient separation.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Avoid overmixing the flour to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Resting Dough Magic: Allowing dough to rest helps flour absorb moisture, intensifying flavor and improving cookie structure.
• Glaze Setting Strategy: Let cookies cool completely before glazing to ensure a clean, crisp finish that doesn’t run or become soggy.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg