Description
Celebrate the holidays with these Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies, bursting with warm spices and zesty orange flavor. Soft, fragrant, and beautifully glazed, these cookies make the perfect treat to share with family and friends during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon Clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 tablespoon Orange Zest
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Glaze
- 1 cup Icing Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Orange Juice
- 1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Clove (for glaze)
Instructions
- Cookie Preparation: Begin by creaming the softened butter and honey together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps create a light texture for the cookies.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the molasses thoroughly. Gradually mix in the flour and salt, then add all the spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and allspice), orange zest, and vanilla extract. Mix well until a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Roll the dough into a log shape or press it into a cookie stamp or cutter. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to slice and bake.
- Preheat Oven & Slice Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the dough from the fridge and cut it into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. This ensures that the cookies are baked through with a slightly crisp edge and soft center.
- Prepare & Apply Glaze: While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze by mixing icing sugar, orange juice, Cointreau (if using), and ground clove until smooth. Once the cookies come out of the oven, brush or drizzle the glaze over them.
- Set Glaze: Return the glazed cookies to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes to set the glaze, giving the cookies a shiny, flavorful topping.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential as it prevents spreading and helps maintain the cookie shape.
- Use fresh orange zest for maximum flavor impact.
- Cointreau in the glaze adds a subtle citrus alcohol flavor but can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with hot tea or coffee during holiday gatherings.
