Orange Cookies (Sugar Cookies with Orange) Recipe + VIDEO
These bright and delicious orange cookies feature a classic soft, tender, and lightly chewy sugar cookie base with a rich orange frosting. Finish the sugar cookies with an orange jelly slice candy on top!
Servings: 45 cookies
Calories: 217kcal
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 2 drops orange food coloring optional
For the Orange Frosting –
- 1 cup butter softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Optional Garnishes: Orange jelly slice candies orange sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Set out a large mixing bowl. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Set out an electric stand mixer. In the bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Do not skimp on the time!
- Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula. Turn the mixer on low, and add in the eggs, orange zest, fresh orange juice, and food coloring.
- With the mixer running on low, slowly adding the flour mixture. Once fully combined, scrape the bowl and beat again for just 20-30 seconds.
- Pour some extra sugar into a small bowl to coat the cookies. Scoop the dough out and roll into 1 inch balls. Dunk each dough ball into the sugar and roll around to coat. Then set on the cookie sheets 2 inches apart. *The dough will be soft and delicate, so try not to touch it too much after rolling the cookies.
- Bake each sheet of sugar cookies for 9 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just slightly gold and the centers are barely set. Cool completely on the baking sheets.
- For the orange frosting: Once the cookies are completely cool, clean out the mixing bowl. Beat the butter on high until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer on low and slowly alternate adding in the powdered sugar and orange juice. Scrape the bowl and beat again until the frosting is very smooth and fluffy.
- Use a butter knife or spatula to spread the frosting on the cookies in a circular motion. Then decorate the tops as desired.
Video
Notes
Keep the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week or so.
To freeze: Let them cool completely, then place the cookies in an airtight plastic zip bag without frosting. If you are stacking them I suggest placing a piece of wax paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together. Freeze the orange sugar cookies for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pc | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg