Print

Zesty Orange Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 93 reviews

These Zesty Orange Crinkle Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Rolled in powdered sugar, they develop a delicate crinkled surface as they bake, creating a beautiful contrast between the sugary coating and the moist, orange-infused cookie inside. Perfect for a light, refreshing twist on classic crinkle cookies, they are ideal for tea time, holiday treats, or any occasion that calls for a sweet and tangy cookie.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest (from 2 medium oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Coating

  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using a mixer. This aerates the mixture and gives the cookie a light texture.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until fully incorporated, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to mix evenly.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
  5. Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  6. Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and allowing the flavors to develop.
  7. Prepare Coating: Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl for rolling the cookies.
  8. Form and Coat Cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and gently roll each into a ball. Roll the balls generously in powdered sugar, coating completely; roll a second time if a thicker coating is desired.
  9. Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
  10. Bake Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly puffed but centers appear soft and slightly underbaked; avoid browning to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  11. Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the dough once you add the flour to avoid tough cookies.
  • Chilling the dough helps flavors meld and makes rolling easier.
  • Removing cookies from the oven before they brown is key to their soft texture.
  • For extra zest, add a teaspoon more of orange zest if desired.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: orange cookies, crinkle cookies, citrus cookies, soft cookies, powdered sugar cookies, baked cookies, easy cookie recipe

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/zesty-orange-crinkle-cookies-recipe/