These Easy Orange Creamsicle Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic summer treat we all know and love. With their soft, chewy texture and vibrant orange flavor balanced by creamy white chocolate chips, these cookies capture the nostalgic taste of orange creamsicles in every bite. Perfect for brightening up any day, they take just minutes to prep and deliver a burst of sunshine with minimal effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic Flavors: These cookies brilliantly capture that classic orange and vanilla combination that takes you right back to summer days with an ice cream truck.
- Quick Preparation: The dough comes together in just 15 minutes, making these perfect for when you need a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Perfect Texture: These cookies have crisp edges and soft, tender centers – achieving that ideal cookie texture that pleases everyone.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Both kids and adults go crazy for these cookies – they’re colorful, fun, and have that perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted Butter: Creates a tender, rich base for our cookies. Make sure it’s properly softened for the best texture.
- Cream Cheese: Adds incredible moisture and a subtle tanginess that complements the orange perfectly.
- Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness while keeping the texture soft. It dissolves more completely than granulated sugar for a smoother dough.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds structure to our cookies.
- Orange Zest: The secret weapon! Fresh zest provides vibrant orange flavor that can’t be matched by extract alone.
- Baking Powder: Gives just the right amount of lift without making them cakey.
- Orange Extract: Intensifies the orange flavor throughout the cookie.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds that creamy, creamsicle-like flavor that pairs beautifully with orange.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing structure.
- Gel Food Coloring: Creates that beautiful orange color that makes these cookies visually appealing. Using gel (rather than liquid) prevents changing the dough consistency.
- White Chocolate Chips: Provide bursts of creamy sweetness that perfectly represent the “cream” part of creamsicle.
- Granulated Sugar: For rolling the cookies, adding a delightful sparkle and subtle crunch to the exterior.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious ideas:
- Citrus Swap: Replace orange with lemon or lime zest and extract for a different citrus experience.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After baking, drizzle with melted white chocolate for an extra decadent touch.
- Coconut Addition: Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Orange Creamsicle Sandwich Cookies: Use two smaller cookies to sandwich a layer of vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.
How to Make Easy Orange Creamsicle Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cheese
In a stand mixer with paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This creates the perfect base for our cookies.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually add powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Mix in the egg, orange zest, baking powder, orange extract, vanilla extract, and salt. The mixture should be smooth and well-combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour
Add the flour gradually, mixing just until no dry patches remain. Be careful not to overmix at this stage to keep your cookies tender.
Step 4: Add Color and Chips
If desired, add equal parts red and yellow gel food coloring to achieve that perfect orange hue. Fold in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This crucial step prevents spreading and intensifies the flavors.
Step 6: Prepare and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll chilled dough into balls, coat with granulated sugar, and place 3 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes until lightly golden on the bottom with dry tops.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows them to set properly.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Cold Cream Cheese Shortcut: If you forgot to soften your cream cheese, cut it into small cubes and it will soften much faster.
- Zest Before Juicing: If you’re using a fresh orange, always zest before juicing—it’s nearly impossible the other way around!
- Proper Measuring: For the flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level off with a knife rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup, which can pack in too much flour.
- Strategic Chilling: If your kitchen is very warm, chill the mixed dough for 30 minutes before even forming the dough balls.
- Even Sizing: Use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform cookies that will bake evenly.
- Watch Closely: These cookies can go from perfect to overdone quickly. When in doubt, slightly underbaked is better than overbaked.
How to Serve
These versatile cookies shine in so many settings:
Perfect Pairings:
Serve with a cold glass of milk, vanilla ice cream, or a cup of tea. They also pair wonderfully with coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Gifting:
Stack them in a clear cellophane bag tied with orange ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift that’s sure to impress.
Dessert Platter:
Include them on a dessert platter with vanilla pudding cups and fresh orange segments for a themed orange-vanilla dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain that perfect texture.
Freezing
The dough balls can be frozen before baking – just roll them in sugar right before baking, not before freezing. Already baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked taste, warm room temperature cookies in a 300°F oven for about 3-4 minutes. If reheating from frozen, add a couple of extra minutes.
FAQs
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Can I make these cookies without cream cheese?
While cream cheese contributes significantly to the texture and flavor, you could substitute with an equal amount of additional butter in a pinch. The cookies will have a different texture and slightly less tangy flavor, but they’ll still taste wonderful.
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Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?
The most common culprit is not chilling the dough long enough. These cookies absolutely need that hour in the refrigerator to firm up. Also check that your butter wasn’t too soft to begin with, and that the baking powder is fresh.
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Can I use orange juice instead of orange extract?
I don’t recommend this substitution. Orange juice doesn’t provide the concentrated flavor that extract does, and the extra liquid can affect the texture of your cookies. If you don’t have extract, double the amount of orange zest instead.
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How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The perfect Orange Creamsicle Cookie will look slightly underdone in the center when you take it out of the oven. The edges should be set and the bottoms light golden brown, but the tops should just look dry, not browned. They’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Orange Creamsicle Cookies truly bring sunshine to any occasion with their bright flavor and cheerful color. They’re more than just cookies – they’re little bites of nostalgia that make everyone smile. Whether you’re baking them for a summer gathering, holiday cookie exchange, or just because it’s Tuesday, I promise these will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection!
Print
Easy Orange Creamsicle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Orange Creamsicle Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with bright orange citrus flavor paired with creamy white chocolate. They’re a fun and colorful treat perfect for any occasion, guaranteed to bring a burst of sunshine to your day. With a creamy orange flavor enhanced by a hint of vanilla, these cookies are sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon navel orange zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Optionals & Add-ins
- 1/8 teaspoon red gel food coloring, optional
- 1/8 teaspoon yellow gel food coloring, optional
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Cream Butter & Cream Cheese
In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined. - Mix Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the powdered sugar to the creamed mixture, mixing carefully to avoid lumps. Then, add the egg, orange zest, orange extract, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth. - Combine Dry Ingredients
Slowly mix in the all-purpose flour until everything is incorporated and there are no visible dry patches. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed. - Tint & Add Chocolate
Add red and yellow gel food coloring in equal parts (if using) to achieve your desired orange hue. Lastly, gently fold in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed. - Chill the Dough
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie and place closely spaced on the prepared tray. Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 1 hour to chill. - Prep for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line additional baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Remove the dough balls from the fridge, roll them into smooth spheres in your hands, and coat them thoroughly in the granulated sugar. - Bake Cookies
Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed, lightly golden around the edges, and dry on top. Do not overbake. - Cool & Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these chewy, citrusy treats!
Notes
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least an hour helps to prevent spreading and enhances the flavor.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly soft in the center when removed from the oven. They will set as they cool.
- Test First: If unsure about sweetness or color, bake a single cookie as a test batch before continuing.
- Gel Food Coloring: A little gel food coloring goes a long way for a bright and vibrant orange hue.
- For Chewy Cookies: Remove the cookies at the 11-minute mark for a softer texture. For crisper cookies, leave them in for a minute longer.
- Flavor Variation: Consider substituting vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a richer, more aromatic vanilla taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
