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Home » Recipes » Cookies

Spiced Orange Sugar Cookies

December 6, 2022 by brooke 4 Comments

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Spiced orange sugar cookies are a soft, chewy sugar cookie loaded with orange zest and juice and just enough warm spices. You can't help but think of the holidays when you eat them!

Spiced orange sugar cookies on a baking sheet with an orange slice.

These spiced orange sugar cookies remind me of those oranges I used to make as a kid where we would stick the cloves inside and hang them like a potpourri. They have such a good flavor that feels so warm and cozy, and the sugar cookie itself has such a good texture.

If you like a frosted sugar cookie I have a bunch of other variations of these. You should try my key lime cookies, brown butter pumpkin sugar cookies, or apple cider cookies.

a single spiced orange sugar cookie in my hand.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE

EASY TO MAKE- Sugar cookies can seem overwhelming, but these cookies could not be easier. There is no rolling out the dough, and no chilling required.

WINTER FLAVOR- With orange, cinnamon and cloves in both the cookies and frosting, they have such a nostalgic taste.

STAYS FRESH- I love that these cookies can remain fresh tasting for days because they are so soft! Perfect when you need to prep for a get together.

INGREDIENT NOTES

  • Coconut Oil- I love having the little bit of coconut flavor, but if you don't like coconut just use another neutral oil such as canola.
  • Orange Juice & Zest- I used two oranges so that I could have a good amount of zest for both the cookies and buttercream.
  • Flour- Weighing flour is best if you have a scale, if you don't, lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup.
  • Sour Cream- You can also use greek yogurt for the frosting if you have that on hand.
all ingredients to make spiced orange sugar cookies.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP ONE: Start by adding granulated sugar and orange zest to a mixing bowl. Rub together until zest is fragrant and all mixed into the sugar.

STEP TWO: Add butter, oil and powdered sugar to the sugar/zest in the bowl, fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add egg and orange juice, mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.

STEP THREE: Add baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, cinnamon, cloves and flour to the bowl and mix on low, being careful not to overmix. The dough will seem crumbly, but it's fine as long as it will hold in a ball. If you need to, add a bit more orange juice til it will hold.

Wet ingredients mixed together.
dough before scooping into balls.

STEP FOUR: Scoop the dough into large balls. I like to use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop. Place 8 cookie balls on your baking sheet. Flatten cookie balls with a glass until they are about ½ inch thick. I like to spray the bottom of my glass with cooking spray and dip in sugar before flattening. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. You're looking for a barely light golden brown outside rim. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

cookie dough in balls
pressing cookie dough with a cup
cookies before baking.

STEP FIVE: Mix together butter, sour cream, salt, cinnamon, cloves and 2 cups of powdered sugar on low until completely combined. Add orange juice, zest and another cup of powdered sugar and mix on medium-high for about 2 minutes. Add more orange juice or powdered sugar to get desired consistency. Frost on cooled cookies.

cookies after baking
cookies frosted
cookies topped with orange slices.

EXPERT BAKING TIPS

I prefer these cookies to be chilled before eating. It is not necessary to chill them, but might be worth a try for you to see if that's how you prefer them too!

When these cookies come out of the oven if they've puffed up a bit, I like to give them a little tap with the same cup to create an indention for the frosting.

If you would rather use a regular buttercream frosting you can swap the orange juice and zest for milk and add a little vanilla to the recipe.

FAQ

What do I do if my dough is too crumbly?

The easiest way to fix crumbly dough is to add a little bit of moisture or liquid. Add a few teaspoons more of orange juice or water and that should help.

Do I have to flatten these cookies with a glass?

No, you could simple push them down with your hands, I just like the rustic look that the edges get from pushing with a glass, and then it gives a little rim that seems perfect for frosting.

Can these be made gluten free?

I haven't tried it with these cookies before, but cup4cup is my favorite gluten free flour to sub with.

a few spiced orange sugar cookies on a baking sheet topped with orange slices.

STORING AND FREEZING

Spiced orange sugar cookies can be stored at room temperature, or in the fridge, in an airtight container. They will keep fresh this way for 3-4 days.

FREEZING

These cookies will keep fresh in an airtight container in the freezer for 3-4 months. Just allow them to come to room temperature before eating! You can also freeze the cookies unfrosted if made ahead of time.

4 cookies layered on a plate.

OTHER HOLIDAY COOKIES TO TRY

White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Cookies

Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Cinnamon Icing

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do. 

Make sure to leave a star review below!

Spiced orange sugar cookies on a baking sheet with an orange slice.

Spiced Orange Sugar Cookies

brooke
Spiced orange sugar cookies are a soft, chewy sugar cookie loaded with orange zest and juice and just enough warm spices. You can't help but think of the holidays when you eat them!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 14
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Cookies

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice and zest from the orange
  • ¼ cup butter room temp
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted any vegetable oil will work if you don't like coconut
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg room temp
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour

Frosting

  • 6 tablespoon butter room temp
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • 2 tablespoon orange juice and a little zest

Instructions
 

To make cookies:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Start by adding granulated sugar and orange zest to a mixing bowl. Rub together until zest is fragrant and all mixed into the sugar.
  • Add butter, oil and powdered sugar to the sugar/zest in the bowl, fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add egg and orange juice, mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Add baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, cinnamon, cloves and flour to the bowl and mix on low, being careful not to overmix. The dough will seem crumbly, but it's fine as long as it will hold in a ball. If you need to, add a bit more orange juice til it will hold.
  • Scoop the dough into large balls. I like to use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop.
  • Place 8 cookie balls on your baking sheet. Flatten cookie balls with a glass until they are about ½ inch thick. I like to spray the bottom of my glass with cooking spray and dip in sugar before flattening. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. You're looking for a barely light golden brown outside rim. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:

  • Mix together butter, sour cream, salt, cinnamon, cloves and 2 cups of powdered sugar on low until completely combined. Add orange juice, zest and another cup of powdered sugar and mix on medium-high for about 2 minutes. Add more orange juice or powdered sugar to get desired consistency. Frost on cooled cookies.
  • I like to eat these cookies chilled, but whatever you prefer is great!

Notes

I prefer these cookies to be chilled before eating. It is not necessary to chill them, but might be worth a try for you to see if that's how you prefer them too! Just place them in an airtight container after the frosting has set and they should keep fresh in there for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for longer.
It is best for butter and eggs to be at room temperature before starting to mix.
If you would rather use a regular buttercream frosting you can swap the orange juice and zest for milk and add a little vanilla to the recipe.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 214mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 279IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
Keyword orange buttercream, spiced orange sugar cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Haley

    December 09, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Made these today… AMAZING! Definitely adding to my annual holiday rotation.

    Reply
    • brooke

      December 09, 2022 at 8:29 pm

      Yay! I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for trying them.

      Reply
  2. Mabel

    January 24, 2023 at 12:49 pm

    In the image, there's a cookie with an orange slice on top. Can you place an thinly sliced orange on top of the cookie and bake them together?

    Reply
    • brooke

      January 24, 2023 at 3:09 pm

      I wouldn't bake the cookie with the orange on top, that is just a garnish for on top.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Brooke,

Welcome to the SALTED sweets! I am a self-taught baker, dessert lover, and mom of three. My hope is to share my love language of sweet and simple baked goods with you. More about me...

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