Welcome to a bright twist on a classic treat! These Citrus Sugar Cookies combine the zesty flavors of orange and lemon to create a refreshing dessert that's perfect for any season. With a balance of sweetness and tang, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
Flour: Provides structure to the cookies, making them soft yet sturdy. Use all-purpose for the perfect texture.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and gives them a light, airy texture.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, bringing out the citrus notes.
Butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture. Make sure it's softened for easy mixing.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps achieve that classic sugar cookie texture.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the citrus.
Orange and Lemon Zest: Packs a punch of flavor, adding fresh citrusy notes throughout the dough.
Orange and Lemon Juice: Enhances the zest with a juicy kick, making the flavors pop.
Sanding Sugar: Adds a bit of sparkle and a sweet, crunchy texture on top.
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of Earl Grey tea, enhancing the citrus notes. For a delightful dessert platter, serve them alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They're also perfect on their own for a quick treat.
First, let's get the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While that's warming up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will help prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This mixture is your dry base, and setting it aside for now will make it easier to incorporate later.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. You want this mixture to be light and fluffy, so don't rush it. This step is key for achieving that perfect cookie texture.
Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, and lemon juice. This is where the magic happens — the mixture will start to smell amazing as the citrus notes blend with the vanilla.
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be soft and fragrant.
Now, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Give them some space, about 2 inches apart, so they have room to spread.
Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass. This helps them bake evenly. Sprinkle the tops with sanding sugar for that extra sparkle and crunch.
Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. This short baking time ensures a soft center with a slight crisp edge. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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