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
Units
Scale
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
