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Winter Orange Sugar Cookies

Winter orange sugar cookies are rolled in sugar and baked until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underdone. Orange zest rubbed into the sugar adds fragrant citrus flavor to these soft, buttery cookies.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 170
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 1.25 cups granulated sugar divided
  • 1 tbsp orange zest finely grated
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 2 baking sheets

Method
 

  1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  2. Rub the orange zest into 1 cup of the sugar with your fingertips until fragrant.
  3. Add the softened butter and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined, then mix in the flour mixture just until no dry streaks remain.
  5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes, until firm enough to roll.
  6. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350°F.
  7. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Put the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl.
  9. Roll the dough into 24 balls, about 1 1/2 tablespoons each, and coat each ball in the sugar.
  10. Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
  11. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underdone.
  12. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.
  13. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For fragrant cookies, rub the orange zest into the sugar until it smells aromatic. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; freeze for up to 2 months. For a gluten-free variation, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking flour blend.