Frosted Orange Cookies

The Creative Cookie Exchange theme for February was announced months ago. I looked at it, smiled, and then didn’t think about it for a while. It seemed easy enough. As the time came closer my mind drew a complete blank. It is the same as having a head full of words and they all disappear when sitting down to write. I headed to the liquor cabinet to get inspiration. That could sound like an odd thing to do for a cookie baking theme. However it was necessary to complete the mission of “drunken” cookies. I looked at all the various spirits and flavors and decided on Frosted Orange Cookies.

Booze in cookies is not that uncommon. I’ve baked several with alcohol as an ingredient including Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Cookies and Cuban Sugar Cookies (Torticas de Moron). What was getting in the way was the desire to bake cookies with a different flavor and texture than ones I’ve made before. The bottle of orange liquor got the thinking wheels spinning. Something light, fresh, and citrusy came to mind.

Frosted Orange Cookies are cake-like in texture. So much so that I’d almost call them cupcake tops. They are soft and airy. The orange flavor comes from fresh orange juice, orange zest, and orange liqueur. That’s a triple dose of orange in each bite.

Some notes on the cookies: The original recipe was for six dozen. I did not want to have that many cookies around so I cut the ingredients in half. I was glad I did once in the process. The dough is like a very thick batter. The leavening begins to activate immediately. This caused the dough to change consistency and become stiffer plus puff up slightly in time. I doubt the sixth sheet of cookies would have turned out as nicely as the first one (I bake cookies one sheet at a time).

The number of cookies can vary. It will depend on how rounded you make the tablespoon of dough. I halved a recipe for six dozen (72) and wound up with 33 cookies. Since rounded tablespoons is not an exact measurement then expect about three dozen, give or take a few cookies.

Do you enjoy boozy cookies? The Creative Cookie Exchange bakers have a whole bunch of recipes for you. They either have alcohol in them or are a non-alcoholic “virgin” cookie inspired by a cocktail. Scroll down to see the list and each recipe is a click away. Have fun baking and cheers!

4.5 from 6 votes

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Frosted Orange Cookies

Frosted Orange Cookies are soft and cake-like. They are made with fresh orange juice, orange zest, and orange liqueur. A great cookie for grown-ups.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 33 to 36 cookies

Author Renee

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
• 1 egg at room temperature
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

For the frosting:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar sifted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice divided, plus more if needed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons orange liqueur
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

For the cookies:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick liners.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Beat sugar and butter in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Add sour cream, egg, orange juice, orange liqueur, and orange zest. Beat until combined.
5. Add flour mixture and beat until just combined.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
7. Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
8. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.

For the frosting:

1. Stir together butter, sugar, 1 tablespoon orange juice, orange liqueur, and salt.
2. Add enough remaining orange juice 1 teaspoon at a time until desired spreading consistency is reached. Add more if needed.
3. Spread frosting on top of cookies.

Recipe Notes

Frosted Orange Cookies are soft and cake-like. They are made with fresh orange juice, orange zest, and orange liqueur. A great cookie for grown-ups.

Recipe adapted from Pillsbury Fresh Orange Cookies.

The Creative Cookie Exchange theme this month is Drunken Cookies. Cookies made with booze and/or inspired by booze, we have them all! If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura via email (thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com) and she will get you added to our Facebook group where discuss our cookies and share links.

You can also use us as a great resource for cookie recipes. Be sure to check out our Pinterest Board and our monthly posts (you can find all of them here at The Spiced Life). You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:

• Amaretti Biscuits from A Baker’s House
• Amaretto Tricolor Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Bourbon Creams from Baking in Pyjamas
• Cherry Blossom Tea Cookies from Ninja Baker
• Chocolate French Macarons with Bourbon Praline Buttercream from Sweet Cinnamon & Honey
• Chocolate Rum Balls from Noshing With The Nolands
• Cinnamon Raisin Blondies from What Smells So Good?
• Coffee and Irish Cream Sandwich Cookies from Spiceroots
• Frosted Orange Cookies from Magnolia Days
• Guinness Chocolate Chip Cookies from Upstate Ramblings
• Nutella Baileys Cookies from Basic N Delicious
• Rosemary Bourbon Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Smoked Sea Salt from The Spiced Life
• Whiskey Raisin Oatmeal Bars from Food Lust People Love
• White Chocolate Chip & Frangelico Hazelnut Cookies by Made With Love