I usually make these bite-size orange cookies at Christmastime, when oranges in Florida are plentiful, but they're delicious any time of year. Every time I sniff their wonderful aroma, I remember my grandmother, who shared the recipe. —Lori DiPietro, New Port Richey, Florida
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange juice and zest. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. In a small bowl, combine icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cooled cookies.
Iced Orange Cookie Tips
Can I use a different type of citrus in these cookies?
Of course! Proceed with substituting your preferred citrus (lemon, lime, etc.) in place of orange and proceed as the recipe instructs. However, keep in mind that using baking substitutions may change the flavor and texture of your cookies.
Can I freeze these orange cookies?
Yes—here's how to freeze cookies. For this recipe, we recommend freezing the raw cookie dough ahead of time, and then later thawing it before baking and icing the cookies. You can also bake the cookies before freezing them, but don't freeze them with the icing on. Instead, prepare the glaze while the cookies thaw and then ice the cookies as the recipe instructs.
What are drop cookies?
The term ‘drop cookies’ refers to the method by which you place the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet. In this case, you ‘drop' the dough by the spoonful. Drop cookies tend to have a soft texture—here are some of our favorite drop cookie recipes. Research contributed by Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor.
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Average Rating:
Kate1718
Feb 13, 2021
They were just okay, kind of flavorless and the temp was off, 350 is too low and caused mine to really spread. The second batch I made immediately after the first one I increased the oven temp to 375 and had a much better result, browning was even and better around the edges and they were more consistent in texture, less spongy. Almost everything you bake, even chocolate tastes better with vanilla in it so to increase the flavor I added a tsp of vanilla extract and a tsp of orange extract, so much better. I also didn't add the sugary icing, it wasn't necessary. A little dusting of powdered sugar was very pretty and looked very old fashioned.
Forrest
Jan 9, 2021
Fantastic recipe! Delicious and easy to follow for a beginner baker like myself. I squeezed oranges for the juice and ran out near the end, so used half orange juice and half lime juice for the icing - It was fantastic.
cLeighw
Jan 3, 2021
Very tasty and pretty easy to make. I’m glad I had several small oranges that needed to be used! I had fresh zest and juice!
JSB
Jul 30, 2020
I really like these cookies and make them several times a year for various holidays and parties. I not only make them in with orange flavor but with lemons and limes as well.
Amy
Jun 21, 2020
No comment left
Cecelia
Jun 6, 2020
My dough seems too wet should I add flour or is it supposed to be a Little too wet ??
Jewelled
May 5, 2020
No comment left
Maria
Oct 13, 2019
No comment left
Sophia
Apr 23, 2019
I really enjoyed making these cookies and I would highly recommend. The only thing is the cookie dough was so dry so I had to add extra orange juice to make it more smooth. In addition, I tasted the dough and I recommend adding orange extract to make it have a more orange taste. The dough ended up being very fluffy and cake-like which I was very happy with. I would definitely make these again I just had to modify the recipe slightly.
Lindsey
Dec 24, 2018
These orange cookies are perfect for Christmas, I made them along with some gingersnaps and everyone loved them! The only thing I changed was using half lemon/half orange juice for the icing and maybe another half tablespoon of orange zest in the cookie dough- that definitely made them citrusy enough. The dough is relatively wet and similar to cake batter but the cookies remain very fluffy and cake-like. For me they spread very much like the picture. Highly recommend!
Reviews
They were just okay, kind of flavorless and the temp was off, 350 is too low and caused mine to really spread. The second batch I made immediately after the first one I increased the oven temp to 375 and had a much better result, browning was even and better around the edges and they were more consistent in texture, less spongy. Almost everything you bake, even chocolate tastes better with vanilla in it so to increase the flavor I added a tsp of vanilla extract and a tsp of orange extract, so much better. I also didn't add the sugary icing, it wasn't necessary. A little dusting of powdered sugar was very pretty and looked very old fashioned.
Fantastic recipe! Delicious and easy to follow for a beginner baker like myself. I squeezed oranges for the juice and ran out near the end, so used half orange juice and half lime juice for the icing - It was fantastic.
Very tasty and pretty easy to make. I’m glad I had several small oranges that needed to be used! I had fresh zest and juice!
I really like these cookies and make them several times a year for various holidays and parties. I not only make them in with orange flavor but with lemons and limes as well.
No comment left
My dough seems too wet should I add flour or is it supposed to be a Little too wet ??
No comment left
No comment left
I really enjoyed making these cookies and I would highly recommend. The only thing is the cookie dough was so dry so I had to add extra orange juice to make it more smooth. In addition, I tasted the dough and I recommend adding orange extract to make it have a more orange taste. The dough ended up being very fluffy and cake-like which I was very happy with. I would definitely make these again I just had to modify the recipe slightly.
These orange cookies are perfect for Christmas, I made them along with some gingersnaps and everyone loved them! The only thing I changed was using half lemon/half orange juice for the icing and maybe another half tablespoon of orange zest in the cookie dough- that definitely made them citrusy enough. The dough is relatively wet and similar to cake batter but the cookies remain very fluffy and cake-like. For me they spread very much like the picture. Highly recommend!