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orange sugar cookies with orange zest on top
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Frosted Orange Sugar Cookies

These soft, thick, and chewy orange sugar cookies are easy to make (no mixer required!), infused with a refreshing, light orange flavor, and topped with a decadent orange cream cheese frosting!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Cookie
Keyword frosted orange cookies, orange sugar cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 Large Cookies
Calories 417kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (i.e. 1 ½ sticks) you will be melting this
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk (you will be using 1 whole egg + 1 extra egg yolk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (1 large orange will be enough for both the zest & juice in the frosting)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (i.e. ½ stick) room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese chilled (ie. straight from the fridge)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar

Topping

  • extra zest for topping, if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a small glass bowl, microwave unsalted butter (¾ cups, i.e. 1 ½ sticks) until melted. Pour into large mixing bowl. Add in granulated sugar (½ cup) and powdered sugar (½ cup) and mix for 10 seconds.
  • Add 1 egg + 1 yolk, vanilla extract (2 teaspoons), orange extract (¼ teaspoon), and orange zest (1 tablespoon), then mix until combined.
  • Add baking powder (1 ½ teaspoons), baking soda (½ teaspoon) and salt (¼ teaspoon) and mix until combined.
  • Half cup at a time, add all-purpose flour (2 ½ cups) and mix until flour is just incorporated. Do not overmix.
  • Immediately after mixing, scoop dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls. Lightly flatten each ball before placing on cookie sheet. (Because this has melted butter, do not let the dough sit out before rolling into balls & baking, or your dough will become dry and crumbly.)
  • Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 minutes. (The magic number in my oven is 9 minutes) They may look underdone, but they will finish baking on the hot cookie sheet after you take it out of the oven. (
    (Of course, because ovens bake differently use your best judgement to keep them in a minute longer if they look severely underbaked.)
  • After removing from oven, allow the cookies to cool on the hot baking sheet for 10 minutes before removing them from cookie sheet. Allow cookies to fully cool before frosting.

To make frosting:

  • In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter (¼ cup) and cream cheese (4-ounces) on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 1-2 minutes (until light and creamy).
  • Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), orange extract (¼ teaspoon), fresh orange juice (1 tablespoon), and powdered sugar (1 ¼ cups). Once incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
  • Spread or pipe frosting on cooled cookies and top with extra orange zest, if desired!

Notes

  • Storage: store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days; these are so good chilled!
  • Freezing: freeze no longer than 1-2 months for optimal freshness. If freezing these frosted, freeze on a cookie sheet in a single layer before stacking and storing.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 646IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg