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Frosted Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 117 reviews

These Frosted Orange Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor. The dough features fresh orange zest and a touch of orange extract, creating a prominent orange taste that pairs perfectly with a creamy orange cream cheese frosting. Ideal for any occasion, these cookies strike a perfect balance between sweet and tangy, finished with an optional sprinkle of extra orange zest for a vibrant look and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • Extra orange zest (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Make Dough: Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Microwave ¾ cup unsalted butter until melted, then pour into a large mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar and powdered sugar and mix briefly for about 10 seconds. Incorporate the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest, mixing until well combined. Sift in baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing until just combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, half a cup at a time, mixing gently until the dough is just incorporated to avoid overmixing.
  2. Scoop & Bake: Immediately scoop the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls to prevent drying, then lightly flatten them and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully as cookies may appear slightly underdone but will finish cooking on the hot pan once removed. Adjust bake time slightly depending on your oven for the best chewiness.
  3. Make Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer for 1-2 minutes until light and creamy. Slowly add vanilla extract, orange extract, fresh orange juice, and powdered sugar while continuing on medium speed. Once everything is combined, increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 2 minutes until fluffy and well incorporated.
  4. Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Spread or pipe the orange cream cheese frosting generously over each cookie. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of additional fresh orange zest for an extra burst of citrus aroma and color. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor. One large orange is generally enough for both dough and frosting, but it’s safe to have two on hand.
  • If you cannot find orange extract, you can omit it and rely on fresh zest and juice, though the flavor will be milder.
  • Use unsalted butter to control salt levels precisely; if using salted butter, omit adding extra salt in the dough.
  • Do not let cookie dough sit out after mixing since melted butter leads to drying and crumbling; scoop and bake immediately.
  • For a more vibrant orange color, add a drop of orange food coloring to the dough or frosting.
  • Chilling cookies enhances their chewiness and density, so consider refrigerating before or after baking if preferred.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
  • Freeze frosted cookies on a baking sheet first in a single layer, then stack and store for up to 1-2 months for optimal quality.

Keywords: orange sugar cookies, frosted cookies, orange cream cheese frosting, citrus cookies, soft sugar cookies, homemade cookies, baking dessert

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