Description
Delightful Creamsicle Orange Sugar Cookies featuring a soft, colorful orange-infused dough with a creamy, tangy orange cream cheese filling. These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and citrus flavors with a crisp sugar-coated exterior and a luscious center.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 10 drops red food coloring (about 1/8 teaspoon)
- 10 drops yellow food coloring (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Cookie Filling Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Cookie Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a small mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange extract, and orange zest together until the mixture is smooth. Then refrigerate the filling for at least 45 minutes to firm up.
- Make the cookie dough: While the filling chills, in a medium bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly, then stir in the orange zest for citrus flavor.
- Add dry ingredients and coloring: Incorporate the unbleached flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda into the wet mixture and mix well. Add approximately 10 drops each of yellow and red food coloring to create a creamsicle-like orange hue, adjusting to desired color intensity.
- Chill the dough: Cover and refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it and make it easier to handle.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: When ready, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick baking.
- Assemble cookies: Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough into balls. For each cookie, flatten one dough ball and place 1/2 teaspoon of the chilled cream cheese filling in the center. Flatten a second dough ball and place it on top of the filling, sealing the edges firmly to enclose the filling.
- Shape and coat: Reshape the filled cookies into smooth balls and roll each one in granulated sugar to coat the exterior, adding a sweet crunch.
- Bake the cookies: Arrange cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden.
- Cool: Remove cookies from oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to ensure they set well and filling remains inside.
Notes
- If the cream cheese filling leaks onto the cookie surface, don’t worry; it creates a delightful creamsicle swirl effect.
- For a more intense orange flavor, substitute the vanilla extract in the dough with orange extract to amplify the citrus notes.
