Orange Clove Cookies (Printable)
Bright citrus meets warm spice in these fragrant, zesty cookies perfect for festive occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cloves
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons orange zest
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ For Decoration
11 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
12 - Additional orange zest
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cloves. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
07 - Flatten each cookie slightly. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and additional orange zest if desired.
08 - Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
09 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The combination of bright citrus and deep spice feels sophisticated yet incredibly homey
- These cookies keep their texture perfectly for days, making them ideal for gifting or shipping
02 -
- Overbaking even by a minute will make these lose their tender texture
- Freshly squeezed orange juice makes a noticeable difference over bottled
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the dough from seizing up and ensure even mixing
- Letting cookies cool completely on the sheet before moving helps them set properly