Cookie Dough Ingredients:
- ¾ cup white sugar
- Zest from one orange plus 1 tablespoon of its juice
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil (substitute with vegetable oil if preferred)
- ⅓ cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 large egg, brought to room temperature
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Frosting Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- A pinch of salt
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons orange juice plus additional zest for garnish
Baking Instructions:
- Warm your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prep baking sheets with parchment.
- Blend the white sugar with orange zest in a bowl until it releases its aroma and is well integrated.
- Cream the butter, coconut oil, and confectioner's sugar with the sugar-zest mixture using a mixer until it becomes fluffy and light, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Mix in the egg and orange juice for another 2 minutes at medium pace.
- Gently stir in the baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, spices, and flour until just combined. If the dough is too crumbly, moisten with additional orange juice as needed.
- With a large scoop, form dough balls and arrange them on the baking sheets, spacing them out.
- Flatten each ball to about ½ inch thickness using a sugared glass bottom.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. Let them cool fully prior to frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Whisk butter, sour cream, salt, spices, and two cups of confectioner's sugar until smooth.
- Incorporate the orange juice and zest, then add the remaining sugar and beat until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies.
Additional Tips:
- For an enhanced flavor, chill the cookies before serving.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure a smoother dough.
- Customizable frosting: Replace orange with milk and a dash of vanilla extract for a classic buttercream.
- Accurate measurements are key, use grams for precision, especially with flour.
Relish these cookies straight from the fridge for a refreshing and crisp treat, perfect for a zesty end to any meal or a sweet snack on the go.
