Hearty Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

The scent of fresh citrus always lifts my spirits, so I love filling my kitchen with the bright aroma of these cookies. This Orange Sugar Cookies recipe combines the nostalgia of a classic soft bake with a zesty, refreshing twist.

You will appreciate how the tangy frosting perfectly balances the sweet, tender crumb for a sophisticated flavor profile.

What Makes This Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe So Special

The secret to the incredible texture in these cookies lies in the combination of butter, oil, and confectioners’ sugar within the dough itself. I find that this specific blend creates a melt-in-your-mouth consistency that standard Orange Sugar Cookies simply cannot match.

Adding sour cream to the frosting provides a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness and keeps the topping delightfully creamy.

You can easily adjust the intensity of the citrus flavor by adding a bit more fresh zest if you prefer a punchier taste.

If you enjoy fruit-forward desserts, my Cozy Homemade Butterscotch Pie offers a rich sweetness that complements this recipe perfectly. I also recommend baking my Ultimate Gingerbread Cookies Recipe when you want another spiced classic for your cookie jar.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Orange Sugar Cookies

Here are the fresh items and pantry staples required to bake this treat:

• Unsalted butter: Provides the rich, creamy base for both the cookie dough and the frosting.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and aids in creating the perfect cookie structure.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Used in the dough for tenderness and acts as the primary thickener for the smooth frosting.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies incredibly soft and moist for days after baking.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the dough.
• Orange juice: Infuses the recipe with natural citrus flavor and acidity.
• Orange zest: Contains essential oils that deliver the most aromatic and authentic fruit flavor.
• Orange extract: Enhances the citrus notes to ensure they stand out against the rich butter.
• Cream of tartar: Works with the other ingredients to create a soft, pillowy texture.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sugar and enhances the bright orange flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookie; be sure to measure it accurately.
• Sour cream: Adds a unique tang and creaminess to the frosting that sets it apart.
• Orange food coloring: Optional, but gives the frosting a lovely, vibrant hue.

My Method for Orange Sugar Cookies

Let’s get baking with these simple steps:

1. I start by preheating my oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In the bowl of a stand mixer, I combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar, mixing them until the texture is light and just combined.
2. Next, I drizzle in the vegetable oil and add the eggs, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and orange extract. I mix these wet ingredients thoroughly until the batter looks smooth, glossy, and fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, I quickly stir the cream of tartar and salt into the flour before slowly adding this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. I mix only until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, being careful not to overwork it, which keeps the Orange Sugar Cookies tender.
4. I use a cookie scoop to portion out golf-ball-sized amounts of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. I roll each portion between my hands to ensure it is smooth and round, spacing them out to allow for slight spreading.
5. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar, I gently press down on each dough ball until the center is slightly flatter than the edges. I bake them for 7 to 9 minutes, removing them when the edges just barely start to set so the centers remain soft.
6. While the cookies cool completely, I make the frosting by beating the butter, sour cream, orange juice, salt, and extract until creamy. I gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar and a drop of food coloring until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency, then coat each cooled cookie generously.

My Best Tips for Perfect Orange Sugar Cookies

Accurately measuring flour is the most critical step to prevent these cookies from becoming dry or cakey. I always fluff the flour first, then spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife.

Do not skip the fresh zest, as it provides the aromatic floral notes that make Orange Sugar Cookies truly shine.

I recommend checking the cookies at the seven-minute mark because they should still look pale and slightly underbaked when you pull them out.

How to Serve This Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

I think these cookies taste even better after chilling in the refrigerator for an hour, which helps the frosting set into a fudge-like texture.

You can serve a platter of Orange Sugar Cookies alongside hot herbal tea or cold milk for a refreshing afternoon snack.

Join me on Pinterest for more cozy baking inspiration and delicious family recipes.

Orange Sugar Cookies

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 35 min
• Yield: 30 cookies
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft and tender sugar cookies infused with fresh orange zest and juice, topped with a creamy sour cream orange frosting.

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Ingredients

• 5 1/2 cups (685g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (95g) confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 cup (168g) vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 3/4 cup (170g) sour cream
• 4–5 cups (500-625g) confectioners’ sugar (for frosting)
• 2 teaspoons orange juice (for frosting)
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract (for frosting)
• 1 pinch kosher salt (for frosting)
• 1 drop orange food coloring

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a stand mixer bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is well combined.
3. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the vegetable oil, then add the eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and orange extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
4. In a separate medium bowl, lightly mix the flour, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into golf-ball sizes. Roll each piece in your hands to make it smooth and place on the baking sheet.
6. Dip the bottom of a glass into granulated sugar and press down on each ball to flatten the center slightly.
7. Bake for 7-9 minutes. The cookies should remain pale; remove them before they brown significantly. Let them cool completely.
8. To make the frosting, beat the butter, sour cream, orange juice, salt, and extract in a clean mixer bowl until creamy.
9. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar until you reach your desired thickness. Add food coloring if desired.
10. Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookies.

Notes

Store cookies in the refrigerator for the best texture. The frosting sets nicely when chilled.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cooling Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 355
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: orange sugar cookies, citrus cookies, soft frosted cookies, homemade dessert, fruit cookies