Description
Delicious Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies combine tender, soft cake flour cookies infused with fresh orange juice and zest, topped with a creamy white chocolate and orange-flavored frosting. Perfectly balanced with a hint of citrus and a smooth, sweet finish, these cookies satisfy any sweet craving and bring vibrant flavors reminiscent of classic creamsicles.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 6.25 cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1.25 cups sugar (for dough)
- 0.25 cup sugar (for rolling)
- 0.75 cup powdered sugar (for dough)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
Wet Ingredients (Dough)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 0.75 cup canola oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- 0.125 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Eggs (number not specified, estimated 2 large eggs)
Frosting Ingredients
- 6 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1 package cream cheese, softened (typically 8 oz)
- 0.25 cup butter, softened
- 2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 0.125 teaspoon orange extract
- Orange food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it warm up while you prepare the cookie dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine 6¼ cups of cake flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer, cream 1 cup softened butter with 1¼ cups sugar and ¾ cup powdered sugar for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually blend in ¾ cup canola oil, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and vanilla or orange extract until well combined.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure even distribution. (Estimate 2 eggs)
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough is fully combined.
- Shape Dough: Form the dough into 2-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Press Cookies: Dip the bottom of a glass into the remaining ¼ cup sugar and press down each dough ball until cookies are about ½ inch thick.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until cookies are slightly golden around the edges but soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Melt White Chocolate: Melt 6 ounces white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish, then allow to cool for 3 minutes.
- Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, mix the melted chocolate with 1 package softened cream cheese, ¼ cup softened butter, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, and 0.125 teaspoon orange extract until smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar while beating until the frosting is well combined and creamy.
- Frost Cookies: Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies.
- Set Frosting: Place the frosted cookies in the refrigerator to set the frosting before serving.
Notes
- If orange extract is unavailable, increase fresh orange zest for enhanced citrus flavor.
- Using cake flour ensures cookies stay tender and soft with a delicate crumb.
- Pressing the dough balls with sugared glass helps create a nice sugary crust on top.
- The frosting should be chilled to firm up and improve flavor melding.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- Optional orange food coloring can be added to frosting for a vibrant orange hue, enhancing presentation.
- Estimated number of eggs is 2 large, since original was missing this detail but necessary for dough binding.
