Orange Clove Cookies: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 2023
These delightful Orange Clove Cookies combine the warm, spicy flavors of cloves and cinnamon with the bright zest of fresh orange, creating a perfect treat for any occasion. Soft yet slightly crisp at the edges, these cookies are easy to make and can be optionally topped with a sweet powdered sugar icing for added indulgence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (freshly grated)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Water or milk (to mix with powdered sugar for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes a few minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate fully. Then stir in the freshly grated orange zest and vanilla extract until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookie edges turn golden brown.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Prepare Icing (Optional): If desired, mix powdered sugar with a small amount of water or milk until smooth to create a drizzle-able icing. Drizzle over the cooled cookies for a sweet finishing touch.
- Serve: Enjoy your delicious orange clove cookies freshly baked with friends or family as a delightful snack or dessert.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
- The optional icing adds sweetness and decoration but can be omitted for a less sweet treat.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can substitute orange zest with lemon zest for a different citrus flavor if desired.