Orange Sugar Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Makes

2-1/2 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
I make these citrusy cookies for parties and special occasions, and we always get to eat the ones that don't come out perfectly. Eventually I had to start making extra "mistakes" to keep my family happy! —Myrrh Wertz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Orange Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 4 teaspoons grated orange zest
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ICING:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons 2% milk
  • 3 drops orange food coloring, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg, orange zest, orange juice and extract. Gradually beat in flour.
  2. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
  4. Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  5. In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, milk and, if desired, food coloring until smooth. Pipe or spread over cookies; let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 139 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.