Warm citrus spice perfection
These orange clove cookies are soft, fragrant, and filled with cozy citrus-spice flavor that feels like a warm hug. Fresh orange zest brightens every bite, while ground cloves add that deep, comforting spice perfect for fall, winter, or holiday baking. They’re quick to mix, easy to bake, and ideal for busy days when you want something homemade without the fuss. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, afternoon tea, or a sweet treat to enjoy with coffee, these cookies deliver big flavor with simple ingredients. One batch fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that makes everyone ask, “What’s baking?”
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
📝 Ingredients List
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional topping:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Microplane or fine grater (for zest)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or spoon
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, orange juice, zest, and vanilla until smooth 🍊
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar if using ✨
- Place cookies 2 inches apart and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops crack slightly.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely 😊
💡 Pro Tips
- Stronger orange flavor: Add an extra ½ teaspoon of zest.
- Texture control: Bake closer to 10 minutes for softer cookies, 12 for lightly crisp edges.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- Freezing: Dough balls freeze well for up to 2 months—bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.