Orange Sugar Zest Cookies (Printable Version)
Buttery citrus cookies with fresh orange zest and sparkling sugar coating. Ready in 32 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
08 - 1 tbsp freshly grated orange zest
09 - 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
→ For Rolling
10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 tsp orange zest
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice. Beat until thoroughly incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
06 - In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp orange zest for rolling.
07 - Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in the orange sugar mixture until evenly coated.
08 - Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Press gently with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly.
09 - Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- These cookies strike that perfect balance between buttery richness and bright citrus freshness that makes them impossible to stop eating
- The sparkling orange sugar crust creates this gorgeous crunch that people will ask you about for weeks
02 -
- I learned the hard way that warm dough spreads into flat sad puddles, so if your kitchen is hot, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking
- Grating your zest directly into the sugar releases all those precious citrus oils and infuses the whole cookie with way more flavor
03 -
- If your oranges feel thick skinned or lack fragrance when you're shopping, grab meyer oranges instead for an even more floral, complex citrus flavor
- Letting the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them helps them set properly and keeps them from breaking apart