Orange Sugar Cookies

These orange sugar cookies are tender, soft, and melt in your mouth, featuring a delightful orange flavor that makes them perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Total Time 27

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Calories: 135

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Cookies

1 cup butter, softened Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 teaspoons grated orange zest Don't skip the orange zest; it enhances the cookie’s flavor significantly.
1/3 cup orange juice
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract Can be substituted with more orange juice or zest.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Icing

1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons 2% milk
3 drops orange food coloring (optional) Experiment with the icing by adding different flavors or colors to match your theme.

Method

Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg, orange zest, orange juice, and lemon extract until well combined.
Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too wet, add a bit more flour.

Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ice the Cookies

In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and orange food coloring (if using) until smooth.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or spread the icing over the tops. Let the icing set before serving.

Notes

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about one week. They can last up to three months in the freezer.