Zesty Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies Recipe

These Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies capture that exact nostalgic magic in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.

You get the zest of fresh oranges mixed with a rich frosting that mimics the smooth center of the classic frozen treat. It is sunshine on a plate.

What Makes This Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies Recipe Special

The texture here is absolutely divine, thanks to the use of both butter and shortening in the dough. This combination ensures the cookies stay pillowy soft while holding their shape perfectly during baking.

I also use fresh orange zest in the dough rather than just extract, which gives the flavor a natural, vibrant pop. It creates a depth of citrus that artificial flavorings simply cannot match.

These treats are surprisingly simple to put together, making them a fantastic option when you need a bakery-quality dessert without the hassle. They look impressive with their swirl of frosting but require very little technical skill.

If you enjoyed the bright citrus notes in this recipe, you will definitely want to try my Zesty Madeleines Recipe next. For another classic favorite that fills the kitchen with amazing scents, my Cozy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a must-bake.

Everything You Need for Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies

Here is the list of ingredients to gather before you start baking:

• All-vegetable shortening: Use the unflavored stick variety for the best texture.
• Unsalted butter: Ensure this is softened to room temperature for the dough.
• Granulated sugar: Provides the sweetness and structure for the cookie base.
• Orange zest: You will need the zest of one medium orange for that fresh kick.
• Cake flour: This creates a much lighter and tender crumb than all-purpose flour.
• Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies incredibly soft and tender.
• Baking powder: The leavening agent that gives the cookies their lift.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the citrus flavor.
• Egg and egg white: The extra white adds lightness to the dough structure.
• Orange extract: Concentrates the flavor in both the cookie and the frosting.
• Vanilla extract: adds a warm background note to round out the citrus.
• Cream cheese: The base of the frosting that gives it that “creamsicle” tang.
• Salted butter: Used in the frosting to stabilize the cream cheese.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a pipeable consistency.

My Method for Perfect Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies

Let’s get cooking!

1. Begin by preparing your dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together the cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until they are thoroughly combined and free of lumps. This step ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing any uneven rising during the baking process.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened unsalted butter, vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, and fresh orange zest. Whip these ingredients on medium speed for about 4 minutes until the mixture turns very pale and fluffy. This aeration process is critical for achieving that signature light texture, so do not rush it.
3. Add the whole egg to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated, then add the egg white, orange extract, and vanilla extract. Mix again until everything is smooth and combined. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry flour mixture and mix just until the dough comes together; be careful not to overmix at this stage or the cookies may become tough.
4. Transfer your finished dough to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 2 to 3 hours. Chilling is mandatory because it solidifies the fats, preventing the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven. During the last 10 minutes of chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Scoop the chilled dough and roll it into balls roughly the size of a golf ball (about 40g each). Place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats, then use the bottom of a glass or your palm to flatten them into rounds about 1/3-inch thick. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes; they should look set but still soft and pale, not browned or crisp.
6. While the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, prepare the frosting by whipping the cream cheese and salted butter in your mixer until fluffy. Mix in the orange extract, then gradually add the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Frost the cooled cookies generously and add sprinkles if you like for a festive touch.

Pro Tips for Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies

The most important secret to these Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies is keeping the dough cold before baking. If the dough gets too warm while you are rolling it, pop the baking sheet back in the fridge for ten minutes before the oven.

Be very careful not to overbake these, as they are meant to be soft and melt-away tender. Pull them from the oven when they look matte on top but are still quite soft to the touch.

For the frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened before mixing. This prevents lumps and ensures you get that silky, cloud-like topping that defines the Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies experience.

How to Serve This Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies

I think these cookies are best served slightly chilled, which makes the frosting firm and enhances the creamy texture. They pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of Earl Grey tea.

You can also turn these Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies into incredible ice cream sandwiches. Just press a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream between two unfrosted cookies for a decadent summer treat.

If you love fresh baking ideas, come join me on Pinterest where I share all my favorite seasonal treats and cozy family recipes every single day.

Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 2 hr 43 min
• Yield: 18 cookies
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft and pillowy citrus cookies topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, mimicking the classic flavor of an orange creamsicle.

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Ingredients

• 1 tsp orange extract (for dough)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1/4 cup all vegetable shortening (unflavored), room temperature
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 large egg white
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Zest of 1 medium orange (approx 1 Tbsp)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp orange extract (for frosting)
• 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

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Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until well combined and aerated.
2. In a stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter, shortening, sugar, and orange zest on medium speed for 4 minutes until very pale and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg until combined, then add the egg white, vanilla extract, and orange extract, mixing until smooth.
4. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing only until just combined to avoid tough cookies.
5. Chill the dough in an airtight container for 2 to 3 hours. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) near the end of the chilling time.
6. Shape dough into golf-ball-sized rounds (40g), place on lined baking sheets, and flatten to 1/3-inch thick.
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes until set but still soft; do not let them brown. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
8. Beat cream cheese and salted butter for the frosting until fluffy, then mix in orange extract and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost cooled cookies.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For a fun variation, add white chocolate chips to the dough.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Chilling Time: 2 hr
• Cook Time: 18 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 291
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 116mg
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 36mg

Keywords: Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies, orange cookie recipe, citrus dessert, soft sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting