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Frosted Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.4 from 11 reviews

These Frosted Orange Sugar Cookies combine a citrusy kick with a soft, tender texture and a creamy orange-infused frosting. Perfect for a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies, they are easy to make and great for sharing at any occasion.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick), room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • Extra orange zest for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
  2. Melt Butter and Mix Sugars: Microwave ¾ cup unsalted butter until melted and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup powdered sugar, then mix for about 10 seconds to combine.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: To the butter and sugar mixture, add 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon orange extract, and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  4. Add Leavening Agents and Salt: Stir in 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt until well incorporated.
  5. Incorporate Flour: Add 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour gradually, half a cup at a time, mixing just until the flour is incorporated. Be careful to not overmix the dough.
  6. Shape Cookies: Immediately after mixing, scoop the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls and lightly flatten each ball before placing them on the prepared cookie sheet. Work quickly as the dough contains melted butter and can dry out.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 minutes. They may appear slightly underdone but will finish baking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven. Adjust time as needed based on your oven.
  8. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Prepare Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the ¼ cup room temperature butter and chilled cream cheese at medium speed until light and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  10. Add Frosting Flavorings and Sugar: While mixing on medium speed, gradually add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon orange extract, 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, and 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar. Then increase mixer speed to high and beat for 2 minutes until fluffy.
  11. Frost Cookies: Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies. Garnish with extra orange zest on top if desired.

Notes

  • Use melted butter for the dough to achieve a tender, soft cookie texture.
  • Do not let the dough sit too long before shaping to prevent it from drying and becoming crumbly.
  • The cookies may look slightly underbaked when removed from oven but will continue to set as they cool.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
  • You can substitute fresh orange zest and juice for a stronger natural orange flavor.
  • Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/frosted-orange-sugar-cookies-recipe/