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Orange Clove Christmas Cookies

Orange Clove Christmas Cookies - featured image
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These festive cookies combine fresh orange zest and warm clove for a nostalgic holiday treat with crisp edges, soft centers, and a punchy citrus-spice flavor. Perfect for parties, gifting, or cozy family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • Zest of 2 large oranges (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (for glaze)
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional, for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients and equipment. Zest and juice your oranges, measure out everything, and let your butter and eggs come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground clove. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  4. Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two batches, mixing on low speed until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. If the dough feels too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
  6. Cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes (or up to overnight).
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters, re-rolling scraps as needed.
  9. Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
  10. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with orange juice and zest until smooth and pourable.
  12. Once cookies are fully cool, drizzle or spread glaze over each. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes before stacking or storing.

Notes

Chill dough for best texture and flavor. Use fresh orange zest for vibrant taste. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. For vegan, use plant-based butter and flax eggs. Cookies freeze well (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, orange clove cookies, holiday dessert, festive cookies, easy cookie recipe, citrus spice cookies

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/orange-clove-christmas-cookies-easy-recipe-for-festive-holiday-parties/