Ingredients
ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
400 g (3 ¼ cups)
COLD BUTTER
170 g (3/4 cup)
SUGAR
100 g (1/2 cup)
ORANGE JUICE
40 ml (3 tablespoons)
EGG
1
BAKING YEAST
1 tablespoon coffee
ZEST OF AN ORANGE
ZEST OF A LEMON
A PINCH OF SALT
POWDERED
SUGAR POWDERED
SUGAR ORANGE JAM
These simple orange cookies have a secret surprise inside: a jammy orange center! Orange cookies are popular in Italy, where they are often glazed with orange glaze. Sometimes almond extract is also added. They are crumbly, melting and have all the flavor of citrus fruits in one bite. They’re flavored with both citrus zest and orange juice, which means every soft, crumbly bite is packed with flavor. The texture is similar to that of a shortbread cookie due to the amount of butter used. You might think they are difficult to prepare, but all you have to do is mix the ingredients and bake them! With a few minutes of mixing, an hour in the fridge and 15 minutes in the oven, you will have the most delicious tangy cookie!
Tips
Using a food processor will be helpful in creating the perfect crumb. Simply add the flour and butter and mix until a crumb forms. The dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
How to Store and Freeze Orange Cookies
These orange cookies keep well in an airtight container (at room temperature) for about a week. Cookie dough can be frozen. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator and continue the recipe by shaping the balls and filling them. You can also freeze the baked cookies.
Instructions
Mix flour with salt and baking powder.
Add the butter and mix it with your fingers and form a crumb.
In another bowl, add the sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, egg and lemon juice. Whisk to combine all the ingredients.
Pour the egg mixture into the butter-flour mixture and knead to combine.
The kneaded dough should be smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Divide the dough into small balls.
Slightly flatten each ball, fill the middle with jam and roll again.
Roll the balls in the caster sugar, then the powdered sugar. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 180°C.
Notes
– It is important to refrigerate the cookie dough before proceeding with the rest of the recipe. This prevents the butter from melting too quickly in the oven, which would cause it to spread too quickly.
– The butter must be very cold, do not use butter at room temperature, or worse, melted.
– For extra sweetness, you can glaze these simple orange cookies. Simply mix together 2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup orange juice and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Garnish with additional orange zest.
– You can add other toppings. Try the slightly bitter orange marmalade, or another fruity jam.
– Add almond extract to cookie dough for extra flavor, it really brings out the flavor of the orange zest.