Description

Orange Clove Cookies are classic holiday spice cookies bursting with warm flavors of cloves, cinnamon, and bright orange zest. These soft and chewy cookies feature a perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes, making them an irresistible treat for festive gatherings or cozy nights at home. With a simple preparation involving creaming butter and sugars, mixing aromatic spices, and baking to golden perfection, these cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Optional orange glaze adds a delightful finishing touch for extra sweetness and visual appeal.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon orange zest (freshly grated)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional Icing

1 cup powdered sugar
Water or milk (for thinning the icing)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in freshly grated orange zest and vanilla extract to infuse the dough with citrusy and aromatic notes.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden brown while the centers remain soft.
Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare Icing (Optional): If desired, mix powdered sugar with a small amount of water or milk until smooth to form an icing. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies to add sweetness and decorative flair.
Serve: Serve these warm-spiced orange clove cookies fresh with tea or coffee, or package them for gifting during the holidays!

Notes

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve a fluffy creamed texture.
Freshly grated orange zest gives the best citrus flavor; avoid using bottled orange extract for a natural taste.
Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender and chewy.
If you prefer crispier cookies, bake them an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
The icing is optional but adds a lovely sweetness and festive look to the cookies.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.