Jump to Recipe

Craving a cookie that’s light, airy, and bursting with citrusy goodness? Look no further! These soft orange cookies, crowned with a tangy cream cheese frosting, are guaranteed to be a hit. Forget dense, disappointing cookies – this recipe unlocks the secret to consistently fluffy results, making every bite a melt-in-your-mouth delight. Prepare to be amazed by how easy it is to achieve cookie perfection!

Why You’ll Love These Soft Orange Cookies

These aren’t your average cookies! Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:

  • Unbelievably Fluffy Texture: The key is in the creaming process, ensuring a light and airy crumb.
  • Bright Citrus Flavor: The combination of orange extract and fresh zest creates a vibrant and refreshing taste.
  • Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting: Perfectly complements the sweetness of the cookie with its creamy, slightly tart flavor.
  • Easy to Make: No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients required.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Soft Orange Cookies

Before we dive into the baking process, let’s talk about the ingredients that make these orange cookies so special. The combination of simple pantry staples, with a touch of orange, creates a truly memorable treat. From the buttery base to the zesty frosting, each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The foundation of any good cookie! Using softened (but not melted!) butter is essential for creaming it with the sugar, incorporating air, and creating that signature fluffy texture.
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to aerate the butter.
  • 2 large eggs: Add richness and bind the ingredients together. Using room temperature eggs helps them emulsify better, contributing to a smoother dough.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a touch of warmth and complexity.
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract: Intensifies the orange flavor, creating a delightful citrusy aroma and taste. You can find this in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, or online.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies. Make sure to measure it accurately – spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off is the best way to avoid using too much.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: The star of the frosting! Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Ensure it’s properly softened to avoid lumps in your frosting.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and creaminess to the frosting. Again, softened butter is key for a smooth and fluffy result.
  • 4 cups powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and structure to the frosting. Sifting it before adding it to the cream cheese and butter will help prevent lumps.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice: Adds a touch of moisture and enhances the orange flavor. Freshly squeezed is always best!
  • Zest of one orange: Provides a concentrated burst of orange flavor and aroma. Be sure to zest only the outer layer of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.

Crafting Your Soft Orange Cookies: Step-by-Step

Now that we have all of our ingredients ready, let’s get baking! Don’t be intimidated – this recipe is incredibly straightforward, and the results are well worth the effort. The key to those perfectly fluffy orange cookies lies in a few simple techniques, so follow along closely, and you’ll be enjoying warm, citrusy goodness in no time.

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly. While the oven is heating, prepare your baking sheets by leaving them ungreased. These cookies bake well without needing any extra oil or parchment paper.
  2. Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is arguably the most important step! Use an electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer) and beat the butter and sugar for at least 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture is noticeably lighter in color and texture. This process incorporates air into the dough, which is essential for creating a fluffy cookie. Think of it as laying the foundation for a cloud-like bite.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and orange extracts. Adding the eggs one at a time ensures they are fully incorporated into the batter. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, while the orange extract provides that signature citrusy punch. Don’t overmix at this stage.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for proper leavening and flavor. Whisking also helps to aerate the flour, further contributing to a lighter texture.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Add the flour mixture in two or three additions, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. A few streaks of flour are okay; they will disappear during baking.
  6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough. This helps to ensure that the cookies are uniform in size and bake evenly.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on the cookies while they’re baking. The baking time may vary depending on your oven. You want the edges to be lightly golden, but the centers should still be soft. They will continue to bake as they cool on the baking sheet.
  8. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly, making them easier to transfer without breaking. Letting them cool completely before frosting is essential; otherwise, the frosting will melt.
  9. For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Again, make sure your cream cheese and butter are properly softened to avoid lumps. Beat them together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar in two or three additions, beating on low speed until incorporated. Then, increase the speed and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  11. Stir in the orange juice and orange zest. This adds the final touch of orange flavor to the frosting. Stir until just combined.
  12. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost with the cream cheese frosting. Use a knife or offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly over the cookies.

Tips for Perfect Soft Orange Cookies Every Time

Want to guarantee cookie success? Here are a few extra tips and tricks to keep in mind:

  • Don’t overmix the dough. This is crucial for achieving a tender and fluffy cookie. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cookie.
  • Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese will emulsify better, resulting in a smoother dough and frosting.
  • Measure your flour accurately. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can pack the flour and result in too much flour being used.
  • Chill the dough (optional). If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
  • Don’t overbake the cookies. Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard. You want the edges to be lightly golden, but the centers should still be soft.
  • Make sure the cookies are completely cool before frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt.

What to Serve With Soft Orange Cookies

These soft orange cookies are delicious on their own, but they’re also a perfect complement to a variety of other treats. Imagine them alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. Or, for a truly decadent dessert experience, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you are planning a party or gathering, these would be a welcome addition to the dessert table alongside other sweet treats. Consider adding some variety by including items like fudgy brownies with crinkled top from our catalog.

Your Soft Orange Cookies Questions Answered (FAQ)

Can I use orange extract in place of orange zest?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have any fresh oranges on hand, you can use an additional 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract in the frosting. However, keep in mind that fresh orange zest provides a brighter and more complex flavor than extract alone. If you enjoy citrus flavors, you might also enjoy our lemon dream bars, which feature a zesty citrus glaze.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both the unbaked cookie dough and the baked cookies. To freeze the dough, simply portion it out into individual cookies and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes, or until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. To bake from frozen, simply add a few minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular all-purpose flour in this recipe. Be sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum, as this will help to bind the ingredients together and prevent the cookies from being crumbly. The quality of your gluten free all-purpose flour is important here, or the cookies might not turn out.

Why are my cookies flat?

There are several reasons why your cookies might be flat. One common cause is using butter that is too soft or melted. Another is overmixing the dough. Make sure to use softened (but not melted) butter and mix the dough until just combined. Using too little flour can also cause cookies to spread, so be sure to measure accurately. You might also want to experiment with chilling the dough before baking.

Enjoy Your Homemade Soft Orange Cookies!

There you have it – a guaranteed-fluffy recipe for soft orange cookies with cream cheese frosting that will surely impress! The bright citrus flavor and cloud-like texture make them irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the sweet rewards of your baking efforts. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out! And if you loved this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends and family!

Soft Orange Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting (Guaranteed Fluffy Every Time)

Soft Orange Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting (Guaranteed Fluffy Every Time) Save For Later!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • For the Frosting:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • Zest of one orange

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is key to achieving a light and airy texture. Don’t rush this step; the more air you incorporate, the fluffier your cookies will be.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and orange extracts.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
  6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  8. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
  11. Stir in the orange juice and orange zest.
  12. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost with the cream cheese frosting.

Similar Posts