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Orange Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 126 reviews

These Orange Poppy Seed Cookies are a delightful treat combining citrusy brightness with a subtle crunch from poppy seeds. Soft yet lightly crisp on the edges, these cookies are enhanced with a sweet orange glaze that adds a beautiful finishing touch. Perfect for an afternoon snack or serving at tea time, they bring a refreshing burst of flavor and a lovely aroma to your cookie platter.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg + 2 egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp orange extract
  • 1 drop orange food color (optional)

Orange Glaze

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to ensure an even baking temperature for delicate cookies.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, orange zest, and poppy seeds until evenly combined, ensuring the zest and seeds are well distributed.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender texture in the cookies.
  4. Add Eggs: Beat in the whole egg and two egg yolks into the creamed mixture, continuing to mix until the batter is pale and fluffy, which incorporates air and enriches the dough.
  5. Incorporate Flavor and Color: Beat in the orange extract and, if using, the drop of orange food color for a vibrant appearance and enhanced citrus flavor.
  6. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gently stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and ensure soft cookies.
  7. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  8. Portion Cookies: Use a cookie scoop to evenly portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them to allow for slight spreading.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges and bottom are very lightly browned, indicating they are perfectly baked without being dry.
  10. Cool: Let the cookies cool for several minutes on the baking sheet; this helps them set and prevents breaking when transferring.
  11. Transfer: Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing, ensuring the glaze adheres properly.
  12. Prepare Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth to make the orange glaze. Adjust juice quantity to reach desired drizzle consistency.
  13. Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled cookies and optionally sprinkle with additional orange zest for extra aroma and decoration.
  14. Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set completely before serving to enjoy the full flavor and texture combination.

Notes

  • You can substitute orange extract with fresh orange juice zest for a more natural flavor.
  • For a more intense orange flavor, increase orange zest within the dry ingredients.
  • Egg yolks add richness and tenderness; do not skip them for best texture.
  • Use softened butter to ensure easy creaming with sugar.
  • Adjust orange juice in the glaze for desired thickness; more juice for thinner glaze, less for thicker.
  • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend of equal measurement.

Keywords: Orange Poppy Seed Cookies, citrus cookies, orange glaze cookies, homemade cookies, baking cookies, poppy seed dessert, citrus poppy seed

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/orange-poppy-seed-cookies-recipe/