Citrus-Spiced Sugar Cookies with Zesty Frosting

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:

1. Warm your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prep baking sheets with parchment.
2. Blend the white sugar with orange zest in a bowl until it releases its aroma and is well integrated.
3. 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.
4. Mix in the egg and orange juice for another 2 minutes at medium pace.
5. 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.
6. With a large scoop, form dough balls and arrange them on the baking sheets, spacing them out.
7. Flatten each ball to about ½ inch thickness using a sugared glass bottom.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. Let them cool fully prior to frosting.

For the Frosting:

1. Whisk butter, sour cream, salt, spices, and two cups of confectioner’s sugar until smooth.
2. Incorporate the orange juice and zest, then add the remaining sugar and beat until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
3. 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.