Heavenly Soft Italian Orange Drop Cookies Recipe – Sweet Joy

Sweet-scented oranges dance through this classic soft Italian orange drop cookies recipe, bringing a burst of sunshine to your kitchen.

Zesty citrus notes weave magic into every tender bite.

These delightful treats melt on your tongue with gentle, pillowy softness.

Rich with tangy orange flavor, each cookie promises a delectable experience that transports you to Italian bakeries.

The simple ingredients blend effortlessly, creating a rustic and charming dessert.

Whispers of orange essence make these cookies irresistibly light and refreshing.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments of pure delight.

How to Make Soft Italian Orange Drop Cookies

• Citrus Preparation

Gather all fresh ingredients, focusing on vibrant orange zest and quality extracts to create a bright, tangy flavor profile.

• Mixing Magic

Blend butter, sugar, and orange zest using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookies.

• Liquid Harmony

Incorporate olive oil, orange and vanilla extracts, creating a rich and aromatic foundation that will infuse the cookies with delightful fragrance.

• Flour Integration

Gently fold in all-purpose and almond flour, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.

• Cookie Shaping

Scoop rounded dollops of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring even spacing for perfect cookie development.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the sheets into a preheated oven, baking until edges turn delicately golden and cookies achieve a light, puffy texture.

• Glossy Finishing

Craft a smooth orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, then elegantly dip cooled cookies to create a stunning, sweet coating.

Citrus Tips & Customizations for Orange Drop Cookies

• Fold in chopped toasted almonds or pistachios into the dough for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Swap orange juice with limoncello or add a hint of lavender extract to the glaze for an unexpected twist.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze unglazed cookies for up to 3 weeks.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping to prevent spreading and create a more uniform cookie shape.

How to Serve Italian Orange Cookies with Flair

• Pair with Refreshing Beverage: Serve these delightful orange drop cookies alongside a chilled glass of fresh orange juice or a light herbal tea to complement the citrusy flavor profile.
• Dress Up the Dessert Plate: Garnish the cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or sprinkle some finely grated orange zest on top for an extra burst of citrus and visual appeal.
• Create a Sweet Afternoon Treat: Enjoy these soft cookies during a mid-afternoon break, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring quietly with a good book and a cozy blanket.
• Add Elegant Presentation: Place the glazed cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate or wooden serving board to elevate the simple dessert into an attractive and inviting treat.

Storage Tips for Orange Drop Cookies

• Optimize Cookie Freshness: Store these delicate Italian orange drop cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their soft texture and vibrant citrus flavor.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Carefully stack unglazed cookies between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
• Prevent Moisture Buildup: Place a small piece of bread in the storage container to help regulate humidity and keep cookies perfectly soft. Replace the bread slice every 1-2 days if needed.
• Glaze Separately for Best Results: Keep glazed cookies at room temperature and separate unglazed cookies from glazed ones to prevent sticking and maintain the delicate texture of the orange glaze.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Calories: 153 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients for Soft Italian Orange Drop Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and classic tender texture for cookies.
• Almond Flour: Adds rich nutty flavor and creates softer, more delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy lift and helps cookies rise evenly.

• Granulated Sugar: Delivers classic sweetness and helps create golden cookie edges.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with perfect dripping consistency.

• Butter: Contributes rich, creamy depth and helps cookies maintain soft texture.
• Olive Oil: Introduces subtle fruity undertone and keeps cookies incredibly moist.
• Orange Zest: Brings bright, vibrant citrus aroma and intense orange essence.
• Orange Juice: Adds natural sweetness and helps thin glaze to perfect consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and enhances overall cookie complexity.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient profiles.

• Egg: Binds ingredients, provides structure, and adds richness to cookie dough.

Kitchen Tools to Bake Orange Drop Cookies Right

• Electric Mixer or Sturdy Spoon: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and creating a uniform cookie dough.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine all ingredients comfortably.
• Rubber Spatula: Perfect for scraping down bowl sides and ensuring all ingredients are well mixed.
• Cookie Scoop (#30 1-ounce): Helps create uniform, evenly-sized cookie balls.
• Baking Sheets: Two sheets lined with parchment paper for even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Whisk: For creating smooth, lump-free orange glaze.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Zester or Grater: To extract fresh orange zest for maximum flavor.

Pillowy Italian Orange Drop Cookies

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 36 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Homemade Italian orange drop cookies blend zesty citrus with sweet nostalgia from Naples. Delicate crumbs melt on your palate, transporting you to sunny Mediterranean kitchens with each tender bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1–¾ cups (210 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 grams) almond flour
• ¼ cup orange zest (from about 2 large or 4 small navel oranges)
• 2 tbsps (28 grams) olive oil
• 2 tsps orange extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (2 grams) coarse kosher salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup (115 grams) powdered sugar for glaze
• 2–3 tbsps fresh orange juice, for glaze

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Instructions

1. Prep Workspace: Position oven racks in middle and lower-middle positions, heating to 350°F (177°C), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix Base: Combine granulated sugar, softened butter, orange zest, olive oil, orange and vanilla extracts, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly with an electric mixer until well incorporated.
3. Integrate Eggs and Flours: Crack egg into mixture, mixing completely, then gradually fold in all-purpose and almond flours until a uniform dough forms, using a rubber spatula to ensure even distribution.
4. Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion dough into consistent rounded balls and place evenly on prepared baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing between each.
5. Bake and Cool: Slide sheets into preheated oven, baking 14-16 minutes until cookies puff slightly without browning edges; rest on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
6. Glaze Preparation: Whisk powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, creating a smooth, creamy consistency suitable for drizzling, adjusting liquid as needed.
7. Finish and Store: Dip cookie tops into glaze, allowing excess to drip off naturally, then place on rack to set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Master Zesting Technique: Gently scrape orange skin’s outer layer to extract fragrant oils without bitter white pith, ensuring pure citrus flavor.
• Flour Mixing Strategy: Combine flours gradually to prevent clumping and achieve soft, tender cookie texture with smooth consistency.
• Temperature Precision: Watch cookies closely during baking, removing when slightly puffed but before edges brown to maintain delicate, melt-in-mouth quality.
• Glaze Perfection: Adjust powdered sugar and orange juice ratio carefully, aiming for silky, drippable consistency that coats cookies elegantly without becoming too thick or runny.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 153
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 38 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 16 mg