Orange clove cookies are a delightful treat that fills your kitchen with the warm, inviting scents of spices and citrus. Perfect for holidays, cozy gatherings, or simply as a sweet indulgence for your family, this recipe offers a unique twist with the introduction of fragrant cloves and zesty orange. They’re not just cookies; they’re a little taste of comfort that brings everyone together. I’ve made these cookies countless times, and each batch has been met with cheerful smiles and happy bellies.
Why Make This Recipe
There’s something magical about the combination of orange and cloves, which brings both warmth and a touch of sophistication to your cookie platter. These cookies are not only simple to make but are also perfect for a busy family who wishes to enjoy home-baked treats without spending hours in the kitchen. They’re ideal for festive occasions, coffee breaks, or simply as an afternoon snack with your little ones.
"These cookies have become a new favorite in our house! They’re perfect with tea or just for a sweet treat," says a happy home baker.
How to Make Orange Clove Cookies: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 2023
The process begins with preheating your oven and preparing your baking sheets for those delicious cookies. You’ll mix together the dry ingredients, blending rich spices such as ground cloves and cinnamon into the flour. In another bowl, you’ll cream butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy, creating the perfect foundation for your cookies. After adding the eggs along with the orange zest and vanilla, the two mixtures come together, forming a dough that’s as satisfying to handle as it is to eat.
Once you scoop out the dough and place it on your baking sheets, they’ll bake to golden perfection. Make sure to allow them to cool slightly before transferring to wire racks. If you’d like an added touch, you can drizzle an optional icing over the cooled cookies. Just imagine enjoying these vibrant cookies fresh from the oven, their spicy and citrus notes perfect for sharing with family.
Ingredients
Gather these items to make your orange clove cookies:
- 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
- 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
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for optional icing)
For a lighter version, you could also try substituting half the butter with applesauce, which still lends a delicious flavor while cutting down on calories.
Directions
Follow these easy steps to create your own batch of tasty orange clove cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Then stir in the orange zest and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Cool Cookies: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare Icing (Optional): If desired, mix powdered sugar with a little water or milk until smooth to create an icing. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
Serve: Enjoy your delicious orange clove cookies with friends or family!
How to Serve Orange Clove Cookies: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 2023
These cookies are fantastic on their own, but you can elevate your serving game by pairing them with a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa. For a festive treat, serve them on a platter dusted with powdered sugar, or arrange them alongside other cookie varieties for a delightful holiday cookie exchange. If you’re hosting a gathering, consider offering a small bowl of citrus or spice-infused ice cream on the side, which perfectly complements the flavors of these cookies.
How to Store
To keep your orange clove cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’d like to freeze them, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or pop them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their warmth and texture.
Tips to Make
One of the secrets to achieving perfectly baked cookies is ensuring your butter is at the right temperature – softened but not melted. This helps in creating that light and airy cookie texture. For a little extra zing, try adding a touch more orange zest or experimenting with different spices like nutmeg. If you’re in a hurry, pre-made icing can save time while still giving you that sweet finish if you’d like to skip the mixing step.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! You can add chocolate chips for a sweet contrast to the spices, or switch out the orange zest for lemon or even lime for a different citrus twist. If you’re looking to make these cookies gluten-free, a 1:1 gluten-free flour can be used in place of the all-purpose flour. You can also turn these cookies into sandwiches with cream cheese frosting as a delicious filling for a special treat.
FAQs
Can I use other spices instead of cloves?
Absolutely! Nutmeg or allspice would make great substitutions if you’re looking for a different flavor profile.
How can I make these cookies more chewy?
For chewier cookies, try reducing the baking time slightly and make sure not to overmix the dough after adding the flour.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough can help prevent spreading and leads to thicker cookies, but it’s not required for this recipe.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking.
For More Recipe Inspiration
If you loved this Orange Clove Cookies recipe, you might also enjoy trying our melt-in-your-mouth cottage cheese chocolate mousse for a creamy dessert. Or, check out our unique mini bento cake recipe that’s hard to resist!
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Orange Clove Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange zest and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- If desired, mix powdered sugar with a little water or milk until smooth to create an icing. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
- Enjoy your delicious orange clove cookies with friends or family!