Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Orange and Cinnamon Cookies, perfectly spiced with a hint of citrus. They combine the warmth of cinnamon with fresh orange zest and juice, creating a festive treat ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon snack with tea or mulled cider.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts or white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, orange zest, and fresh orange juice into the butter and sugar mixture, beating thoroughly until fully blended to infuse the citrus flavor throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to prevent overmixing which can cause tough cookies. Fold in the optional nuts or white chocolate chips if desired.
- Form Cookies: Using rounded tablespoons, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown, indicating they are cooked through yet soft inside.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the cookies set properly.
Notes
- For an extra decorative and flavorful touch, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with cinnamon sugar just before baking.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with hot beverages like tea or mulled cider, enhancing their warm and spiced profile.
- You can substitute nuts with white chocolate chips or omit both for a nut-free version.
