Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
- 1 ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar (291g), plus about ½ cup for rolling
- 3 tbsp orange zest
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp orange extract
- Orange gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Do ahead and prepare baking sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat for even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cloves until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream sugar and orange zest: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large bowl with beaters, add the granulated sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar, releasing its essential oils and infusing flavor.
- Cream butter with sugar and zest: Add the softened unsalted butter to the sugar mixture. Mix on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed, until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy in texture.
- Add eggs and extracts: Incorporate the large egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and orange extract into the creamed mixture. Blend until everything is combined thoroughly.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat just until the dough comes together with no visible streaks of flour to avoid overmixing.
- Prepare dough balls: Pour approximately ½ cup of granulated sugar into a small bowl. Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, portion out the dough and roll each ball in the sugar to coat evenly. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet and gently pat them down slightly to flatten.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes. To keep the cookies soft and chewy, remove them when the centers still look slightly underbaked. Avoid overbaking.
- Cool cookies: Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow them to set before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking creates a delightful sweet crust on the outside of the cookies.
- Patting down the dough balls slightly ensures even baking and a nice flat surface.
- For a pop of color, add a few drops of orange gel food coloring to the dough during mixing.
- Do not overbake the cookies to maintain their softness and chewiness.
- Ground cloves are optional but add a warm, spicy note complementing the citrus flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American