Orange And Ginger Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because the combination of orange zest and candied ginger gives these cookies a vibrant, zesty flavor that’s both refreshing and cozy. Plus, the aroma that fills my kitchen while they’re baking is completely irresistible and makes me feel like a baking pro.

I adore the delightful combination of citrus and spice presented by my Orange and Ginger Cookies. They are a blend of 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of sugar, a hint of ground ginger, and the fresh zest of an orange.

They strike a perfect balance between sweet and zesty.

Ingredients

Butter Without Salt: Contributes to the sensation of fatty and creamy and makes the product taste more lip smacking.

Butter is not a health food, but it can be part of a healthy diet if you use it in moderation.

Sugar in Granular Form: Offers sweetening power; a carbohydrate source.

Citrus Zest: Delivers aromatic notes of citrus; plentiful in essential oils.

Ginger Powder: Contributes warmth and spice.

Its renowned anti-inflammatory character may make it particularly beneficial as a flavoring for dishes consumed during cold weather.

All-Purpose Flour: Provides the building blocks; a main supplier of carbs.

Ginger candy: Elevates taste with sweet-spicy flavors; has sugar.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger

Instructions

1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a big mixing bowl, beat the soft butter and granulated sugar until they are light and fluffy.

3. Incorporate the egg, the zest of an orange, the juice of an orange, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture; beat until these components are well combined.

4. In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves and mix well.

5. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.

6. Delicately mix the small pieces of candied ginger into the dough until they are evenly dispersed.

7. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form rounds of dough into balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheets. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart.

8. Each cookie should be flattened slightly with the back of a spoon or with your hand to ensure that they bake evenly.

9. Place in the preheated oven and set the timer for 10-12 minutes. Wait until the edges are lightly golden before removing.

10. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after coming out of the oven. Then move them with a spatula to a wire rack. Now you can enjoy them!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Two baking sheets
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Hand mixer or stand mixer
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Zester or grater
8. Citrus juicer
9. Mixing spoon or spatula
10. Small mixing bowl
11. Cookie scoop or tablespoon
12. Spoon (for flattening cookies)
13. Timer
14. Wire rack
15. Spatula

FAQ

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?Indeed, salted butter can be utilized. Just decrease the recipe’s added salt to a mere pinch.
• How do I store the cookies after baking?An airtight container at room temperature is where you want to keep them for optimum freshness. And that “week” part—store them for a week at room temperature. And if you want them to last any longer, store them in a way we haven’t discussed yet.
• Can I prepare the dough in advance?Indeed, the dough can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days prior to baking.
• Is there a substitute for candied ginger?If available, you can use ginger that has been turned to crystals. Alternatively, you can leave it out completely and have an even more mild-flavored drink.
• What if I don’t have fresh oranges?Bottled orange juice and zest from a citrus fruit can be used, but they will not give the flavor that fresh can provide.
• Can these cookies be frozen?Indeed, it is possible to freeze baked cookies. The recommended method is as follows:

  1. Cool the baked cookies completely.
  2. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Freeze the cookies on the baking sheet until solid (about 30 minutes).
  4. Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe storage bag.
  5. The cookies can remain in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

  When you’re ready to enjoy a cookie, you can thaw it in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.

Substitutions and Variations

1 cup unsalted butter, softened can be replaced with 1 cup coconut oil, softened or 1 cup margarine.
1 cup granulated sugar can be replaced with 1 cup brown sugar for a more robust flavor, or with 1 cup coconut sugar for an option that has a lower glycemic index.
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water can be used to replace 1 large egg in a recipe for a vegan option.
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves can be replaced with 1/4 teaspoon allspice.
1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger can be replaced with any of the following: 1/2 cup golden raisins, which gives you a different flavor profile; or 1/2 cup chopped nuts, which brings you added crunch.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the Dough After mixing the dough, consider chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and enhances the flavor development.

2. Enhance Flavor with Browning Butter For a more complex flavor, try browning the butter before beating it with the sugar. Let it cool completely before proceeding with the recipe. This adds a nutty, caramelized flavor to the cookies.

3. Balance Flavors with a Pinch of Salt Since the recipe uses unsalted butter, consider adding a pinch more salt to the dry ingredients to balance and enhance the sweetness and spice flavors in the cookies.

4. Ensure Even Baking with Two Pan Rotation Halfway through baking, rotate the baking sheets between the oven racks and turn them around to ensure even baking and color. This helps if your oven has hot spots.

5. Maximize Citrus Aroma To intensify the orange flavor, gently rub the grated orange zest into the sugar with your fingertips before creaming it with the butter. This releases the natural oils from the zest, enhancing the citrus aroma in the cookies.