If you’re craving a treat that’s both refreshing and nostalgic, orange creamsicle cookies are about to become your new obsession. With the perfect balance of zesty citrus and creamy vanilla, these cookies capture the magic of the classic frozen dessert—now in soft, chewy form. Get ready to discover a recipe that tastes like summer in every bite!
| Servings: | 24 cookies |
| Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 10 minutes |
| Total Time: | 25 minutes |
| Serving Size: | 1 cookie |
Description
Imagine biting into a cookie that instantly transports you to a summer afternoon, licking a melting creamsicle as sunlight dances on your skin. Orange creamsicle cookies are exactly that moment captured in a soft, chewy treat. With the tangy brightness of fresh orange zest and juice paired with the warm comfort of creamy white chocolate, these cookies playfully blend the nostalgic flavors you remember from childhood with the irresistible texture of a bakery-style treat.
Each bite brings a burst of citrusy aroma, mellowed perfectly by the rich sweetness of vanilla and buttery cookie dough. The white chocolate chips melt slightly into pockets of velvet, reminiscent of that creamy center inside a frozen popsicle. Whether served at a backyard gathering or tucked into a lunchbox for a sweet surprise, these cookies are little rays of sun baked right into your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe shines because it’s not only flavorful but incredibly easy to make. Made with everyday pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients, orange creamsicle cookies come together with very little fuss. They’re perfect for casual bakes or festive occasions, offering a unique twist on traditional cookies.
Even more, their texture is perfect: crispy at the edges and soft in the center, thanks to a balance of brown sugar and butter. The bright citrus flavor makes them a refreshing dessert choice year-round, and they freeze beautifully should you want to bake ahead or portion them out for future cravings.
Serving and Storage Tips
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh from the oven or within two days of baking. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. For longer storage, place them in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes.
If you’re prepping ahead, the dough can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and bake straight from the freezer with just a minute or two added to the baking time.
Course, Cuisine
Dessert, American
Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size
| Servings: | 24 cookies |
| Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 10 minutes |
| Total Time: | 25 minutes |
| Serving Size: | 1 cookie |
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium bowl
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microplane zester
- Citrus juicer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and slide off easily.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This gives your dry ingredients an even distribution and helps prevent clumping later.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. This can take around 2 to 3 minutes. The air you beat in here helps create that perfect soft cookie crumb.
- Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice. Beat until fully incorporated. You’ll notice the dough will look slightly creamy and aromatic at this point. That fresh orange zest really comes alive.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Do this in two or three batches on a low speed to avoid overmixing. Once combined, the dough will be soft but manageable.
- Step 6: Fold in the white chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Try not to over-stir, just enough so they’re evenly mixed throughout the dough.
- Step 7: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets. I like using a small cookie scoop to keep the size consistent for even baking.
- Step 8: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should be slightly golden but the centers will look soft and puffy — this is just right. They’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool.
- Step 9: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist biting into one too soon — the warm white chocolate will be tempting but it’s worth the wait.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 170 |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sodium | 70mg |
Recipe Notes
For an even stronger orange flavor, add a few drops of orange extract along with the vanilla. Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should still look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven to stay soft and chewy. You can use chopped white chocolate instead of chips for those creamy melted pockets we all adore.
FAQ
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can try using dairy-free butter and dairy-free white chocolate chips. Just know the taste will vary slightly and the overall texture may not be quite as rich.
What type of white chocolate works best?
Good quality white chocolate chips or chopped bars like Ghirardelli or Lindt melt well and have that creamy vanilla taste that enhances the creamsicle flavor.
Do I need to chill the dough?
It’s not required, but if your butter was very soft or your kitchen is warm, chilling for 20 to 30 minutes helps the dough firm up for better shape and less spreading.
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Orange Creamsicle Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
