Whip Up Dreamy Orange Cream Cookies Recipe Today!

Sweet aromas of citrus and vanilla dance through the kitchen when baking orange cream cookies that promise pure delight.

These irresistible treats blend zesty orange flavors with creamy undertones for a mouthwatering experience.

Soft, delicate, and bursting with bright citrus notes, the cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

Each bite delivers a delightful crunch that melts seamlessly on your tongue.

The recipe combines simple ingredients to create a spectacular dessert that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Rich, buttery, and fragrant, these cookies transform an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

Prepare to fall in love with this delectable orange cream cookie sensation that will become your new favorite sweet indulgence.

How to Make Orange Cream Cookies Soft and Bright

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Whip Up the Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and blend soft butter with sugar until the mixture looks light and airy. This is where the magic starts!

• Create the Liquid Magic

Toss in a fresh egg, sprinkle some bright orange zest, splash in orange juice, and add a dash of vanilla. Mix everything until it looks smooth and dreamy.

• Combine the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, gently mix flour, a pinch of baking soda, and a touch of salt. These will give your cookies the perfect texture.

• Bring It All Together

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Add sour cream in between, stirring gently until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix – we want tender cookies!

• Shape and Bake

Scoop small rounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each cookie. Slide the tray into the oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden color.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, grab a cookie and savor the citrusy, creamy goodness!

Mix-Ins and Glazes That Go Beyond the Basics

• Zesting Perfection: Use a microplane or fine grater to extract only the bright orange outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for maximum citrus flavor.
• Sour Cream Secret: Ensure sour cream is at room temperature to help ingredients blend smoothly and create a tender, soft cookie texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Portion cookie dough into balls and freeze for up to 3 months, allowing you to bake fresh cookies anytime without preparing the entire batch.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free sour cream alternative to create a delicious version for lactose-intolerant friends.

Serve With Afternoon Tea or Holiday Cheer

• Citrus Dessert Companion: Pair these zesty cookies with a chilled glass of orange-infused iced tea for a refreshing afternoon treat.
• Creamy Dipping Delight: Serve alongside cream cheese frosting or a light orange marmalade for an extra layer of citrusy sweetness that complements the cookie's flavor profile.
• Elegant Plating Presentation: Arrange cookies on a white ceramic plate, dust lightly with powdered sugar, and garnish with fresh orange zest curls to create a beautiful, Instagram-worthy dessert display that highlights the cookie's vibrant orange essence.
• After-Dinner Indulgence: Enjoy these cookies as a light dessert following a meal, perfectly matched with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent finish.

Store So They Stay Soft and Lemony

• Smart Batch Preparation: Make a double batch and freeze half the cookie dough in pre-portioned balls for quick future baking. Simply label the freezer bag with date and baking instructions.
• Cool Storage Strategy: Refrigerate finished cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain soft texture.
• Zesty Flavor Enhancement: Store cookies with a small piece of orange peel to boost citrus aroma and keep cookies moist. Replace peel every 2 days for best results.
• Room Temperature Tips: Allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack before storing. Avoid sealing warm cookies, which can create unwanted moisture and compromise their delightful crispness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 139 kcal

Servings: 24

Orange Cream Cookies Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates sturdy cookie structure with tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensures light and airy result.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture, use room temperature unsalted butter for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies caramelize, white granulated sugar works best for consistent results.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tangy flavor, select full-fat version for richest consistency.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.

• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy aroma, use fresh orange and grate only colored part of peel.
• Orange Juice: Intensifies citrus profile, choose fresh-squeezed for most vibrant flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall taste complexity, opt for pure extract over artificial versions.

Tools That Help Shape These Citrus Treats

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing all ingredients.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for achieving light and fluffy butter mixture.
• Whisk: Ideal for combining dry ingredients evenly.
• Zester or grater: Helps create fresh orange zest for intense citrus flavor.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheet: Used for baking cookies to golden perfection.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and fold ingredients smoothly.

Dreamy Orange Cream Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Homemade orange cream cookies blend zesty citrus with sweet vanilla in a delightful dessert. Rich butter and fresh orange zest create a classic flavor profile that delights cookie enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 2 tbsps fresh orange juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange zest

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for precise cookie placement.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and transforms into a pale, cloud-like texture.
3. Liquid Integration: Blend egg, vibrant orange zest, citrus juice, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and aromatic infusion.
4. Dry Mixture: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base that will provide structural integrity to the cookies.
5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, periodically introducing sour cream and mixing until a smooth, cohesive dough develops without overworking the batter.
6. Shaping and Baking: Portion dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop, spacing drops evenly to allow for natural expansion during baking, then slide into the preheated oven.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue, then remove and let cookies rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Zest Carefully: Grate orange zest only from the outer colored part, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for pure, bright citrus flavor.
• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dough just until ingredients combine to maintain soft, tender cookie texture and prevent tough, dense results.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother blending and more consistent cookie spread during baking.
• Storage Solution: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment to preserve freshness and prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg