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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for precise cookie placement.
- 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.
- Liquid Integration: Blend egg, vibrant orange zest, citrus juice, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and aromatic infusion.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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