Print

Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 144 reviews

Delightfully tangy and sweet, these Orange Sugar Cookies combine the bright flavors of fresh orange zest and juice with a tender, buttery dough. Finished with a smooth, citrusy icing, these cookies are perfect for festive occasions or a refreshing treat any time of year.

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 using a mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5–7 minutes. Then beat in the egg, fresh grated orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until well combined.
  2. Add the Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed, just until the dough comes together and is fully combined without overmixing.
  3. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each into a disk and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour or until it is firm enough to roll out without sticking.
  4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out each dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
  5. Arrange and Bake: Place the cut-out cookies about 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, watching for the edges to turn just light brown.
  6. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
  7. Prepare and Apply Icing: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, 2% milk, and optional orange food coloring. Stir until smooth and pipe or spread the icing evenly over the cooled cookies. Let the icing set before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
  • Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • If you prefer a stronger lemon note, you can adjust the lemon extract slightly.
  • The icing can be thickened or thinned by adjusting the amount of milk.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.

Keywords: orange sugar cookies, citrus cookies, easy sugar cookies, lemon extract cookies, soft cookies, holiday cookies

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