Brighten your holiday gatherings with these delightful orange cookies, a perfect treat that captures the essence of citrus. Each bite bursts with refreshing flavor, making them an irresistible addition to school and church functions alike.

Crafted with a blend of shortening, buttermilk, and fresh orange juice, these cookies are soft and chewy, while the vibrant orange zest elevates the taste profile. The simple yet delicious icing adds a sweet finish that complements the cookies beautifully.

Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these cookies are sure to become a cherished favorite in your holiday repertoire. Treat your friends and family to a taste of sunshine with every delightful bite!

Orange Cookies Ingredients

In these vibrant orange cookies, shortening provides a rich, tender base, ensuring each bite melts in your mouth. Sugar adds sweetness and encourages that irresistible golden crust, while buttermilk brings a hint of tanginess, enhancing the cookie’s flavor and texture.

The freshness of orange juice infuses each cookie with a refreshing citrus zing, and the grated orange zest amplifies that bright flavor, adding a fragrant aroma. All-purpose flour forms the structure, creating a perfect balance with the other ingredients.

For the icing, confectioners’ sugar delivers a silky smooth finish, while orange extract and juice create a sweet, citrusy glaze that ties all the flavors together, making these cookies truly irresistible.

Orange Cookies: The Ultimate Guide

These orange cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season with their bright, refreshing flavor. Whether you’re sharing them at a school function or enjoying them with family, these cookies are sure to impress. Below, you’ll find helpful tips for perfecting your baking, serving suggestions to elevate your dessert table, and answers to frequently asked questions about this delicious recipe.

Recipe Tips

1. Temperature Matters: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a more homogeneous batter, allowing the ingredients to blend seamlessly for a lighter, fluffier cookie. Take your eggs out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start baking to ensure they’re at the right temperature.
2. Chill the Dough: After mixing your ingredients, chilling the dough for at least 20 minutes is crucial. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. If you find your dough is still too sticky after chilling, consider adding a bit more flour.
3. Perfecting the Icing: For the icing, start with a smaller amount of orange juice and gradually add more until you reach your desired consistency. A thicker icing will provide a nice drizzle on top, while a thinner icing will spread more easily across the cookies. Adjust to your preference for a decorative touch!

What to Serve with Orange Cookies

1. Hot Beverages: These orange cookies pair beautifully with warm beverages. Consider serving them with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or a refreshing glass of iced tea. The citrus notes complement the flavors of these drinks, making for a cozy and delightful experience.
2. Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad featuring seasonal fruits such as berries, apples, and citrus can be a refreshing side dish. The natural sweetness and acidity of the fruit will enhance the bright flavors of the cookies, creating a balanced and vibrant dessert spread.
3. Cheese Platter: For a sophisticated twist, pair your orange cookies with a cheese platter. Soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese work well alongside the sweet citrus flavor, providing a lovely contrast. Add some honey and nuts for extra texture and flavor.

FAQ

1. Can I substitute shortening with butter?
   Yes, you can substitute shortening with an equal amount of unsalted butter for a richer flavor. However, the texture may differ slightly; butter tends to create a denser cookie.
2. How should I store these cookies?
   Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them fresh longer, consider freezing them. Layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
3. Can I use store-bought orange juice?
   Absolutely! Store-bought orange juice works perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure it’s pure juice without added sugars or preservatives for the best flavor.
4. What can I do if my icing is too runny?
   If your icing is too runny, gradually add more confectioners’ sugar until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thick, add a little more orange juice to loosen it up. Adjusting the ingredients slowly will help you achieve the perfect glaze.

Enjoy your baking experience with these delicious orange cookies, and let the bright flavors bring joy to your holiday celebrations!

Orange Cookies

Dozens of these citrusy delights travel along with me to the school and church functions I attend during the holidays. The abundant orange flavor is refreshing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Cookies

Cuisine American

Servings 10 people

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• All-Purpose Flour: 4 cups
• Shortening: 1 cup
• Sugar: 1-1/2 cups
• Buttermilk: 1 cup
• Large Eggs room temperature: 3
• Orange Juice: 2/3 cup
• Grated Orange Zest: 4-1/2 teaspoons
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
• Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Icing:
• Confectioners’ Sugar: 4-1/4 cups
• Orange Extract: 1/4 teaspoon
• Orange Juice: 1/3 to 1/2 cup

Instructions

 

• Begin by creaming the shortening and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Next, incorporate the buttermilk, eggs, orange juice, and grated zest into the creamed mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and gradually add them to the wet mixture, stirring well to ensure thorough incorporation. Once mixed, refrigerate the dough for about 20 minutes, or until it has firmed up enough to handle comfortably.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are lightly browned. Once done, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
• For the icing, blend the confectioners’ sugar with the orange extract and add sufficient orange juice to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled cookies to finish.

Keyword Orange Cookies