Description
Nostalgic childhood memories meet sweet indulgence in creamsicle orange cookies that blend zesty citrus with classic vanilla comfort. Orange-infused dough and delicate glaze promise a delightful treat perfect for afternoon tea or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups (340 grams) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 small box (3 ounces) orange-flavored gelatin (Jello)
Fats and Sweeteners:
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 grams) brown sugar
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (6 grams) orange zest (from about 12 oranges)
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, ensuring a non-stick surface for perfect cookie formation.
- Mix the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, and salt – in a medium bowl, creating a uniform powder that will provide structure to the cookies.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, fresh orange zest, and orange juice into the butter mixture, blending until all ingredients are smoothly integrated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to maintain the batter’s delicate texture and prevent overworking the dough.
- Sprinkle orange gelatin powder and white chocolate chips into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly to ensure a consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form rounded dough balls approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons in size, placing them strategically on the prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
- Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for slightly golden edges and soft centers that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly before transferring to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling and texture setting.
Notes
- Softening butter perfectly requires leaving it at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes, ensuring smooth creaming without melting.
- Zesting oranges requires a light touch to capture only the bright orange outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
- White chocolate chips can be swapped with vanilla chips or white chocolate chunks for varied texture and intensity.
- Gluten-free bakers can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate structure.
- Measuring ingredients precisely prevents dense or crumbly cookies, so use level measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread helps maintain moisture and softness for 3-4 days.
- Chilling dough for 30 minutes before baking intensifies orange flavor and prevents excessive spreading during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg