There's a reason citrus-flavored desserts are so beloved. They're bright, fresh, and bring a perfect balance to sweet flavors. These Zesty & Sweet Italian Orange Cookies are a testament to that. They're a simple, elegant cookie that is bursting with the bright flavor of fresh orange zest and juice, and they have a tender, soft, and cake-like texture that is completely irresistible.

These cookies are a taste of Italy—a delicious, aromatic treat that is perfect for a coffee break, a holiday cookie plate, or a simple dessert. They are easy to make, require no special equipment, and the beautiful orange glaze is the perfect finishing touch, adding a lovely sweetness and a vibrant color.

Zesty & Sweet: Italian Orange Cookies

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Yields: 24-30 cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Cookies:

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

    • ½ teaspoon salt

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

    • 1 cup granulated sugar

    • 1 large egg

    • Zest of 1 large orange

    • ¼ cup fresh orange juice

  • For the Orange Glaze:

    • 1 cup powdered sugar

    • 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Instructions

1. Make the Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

  3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, then the orange zest, and finally the orange juice until well combined.

  5. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

2. Shape and Bake

  1. Scoop Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

  2. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

  3. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Glaze and Serve

  1. Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add the third tablespoon of juice.

  2. Glaze Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top of each one.

  3. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Cookie

  • Zest is Key: Use a microplane zester to get the finest zest possible. This is where most of the orange flavor comes from.

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This helps them cream together properly, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cookie.

  • Don't Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and tender. Pull them out of the oven as soon as the edges are a light golden color.

  • The Right Glaze: The glaze should be thick enough to cling to the cookie but thin enough to drizzle. Adjust the amount of orange juice to get the perfect consistency.

  • Store Them Properly: These cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.