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Spiced Orange Clove Cookies with Zesty Orange Glaze Recipe

4.7 from 140 reviews

Delight in these Spiced Orange Clove Cookies, bursting with warm spices and zesty orange flavor. Soft and tender with a delicate citrus glaze, these cookies are perfect for festive occasions or a cozy treat any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside this fragrant spice mix.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, forming a creamy base for your dough.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, infusing the dough with citrusy warmth.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  6. Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons or use a cookie scoop to place dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  7. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are set, ensuring a perfect chewy texture without overbaking.
  8. Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preparing for glazing.
  9. Prepare the Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar and fresh orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency with extra orange juice if needed to achieve a drizzle-able glaze.
  10. Glaze the Cookies: Drizzle the orange glaze over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag for neat application, then sprinkle with additional orange zest for a bright, decorative finish.
  11. Set the Glaze: Allow the glaze to set for about 15 minutes before serving to ensure a pleasant texture and presentation.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming and light texture.
  • Use freshly grated orange zest and juice for the brightest citrus flavor.
  • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a stronger spice kick, increase the ground cloves and cinnamon slightly.
  • Glaze consistency can be adjusted—thicker for a decorative drizzle or thinner for a glaze that spreads.

Keywords: spiced cookies, orange clove cookies, holiday cookies, citrus glaze, baked cookies, cinnamon cookies