Description
These Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies bring warm holiday cheer with a delightful blend of spices, citrus zest, and a luscious orange glaze. Soft and buttery with aromatic notes of clove, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, these cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon Clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 tablespoon Orange Zest
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Glaze
- 1 cup Icing Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Orange Juice
- 1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Clove (for glaze)
Instructions
- Cookie Preparation: Cream softened butter and honey together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring the base is light and airy.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the molasses thoroughly. Gradually add the flour and salt, combining them well. Then incorporate all the spices—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, allspice—along with the orange zest and vanilla extract, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a log or press it into a cookie stamp or cutter mold. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough for easier slicing and baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking.
- Slice and Bake: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into slices approximately 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating the cookies are done.
- Prepare Glaze: While the cookies are baking, mix the icing sugar, orange juice, Cointreau (if using), and ground clove to create a flavorful glaze.
- Apply Glaze and Final Bake: Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and apply an even layer of the prepared glaze over each cookie. Return to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes to set the glaze perfectly.
Notes
- Using softened butter is important for proper creaming and texture.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape of the cookies during baking.
- Cointreau is optional but adds a subtle orange liqueur flavor to the glaze.
- Make sure not to overbake to keep the cookies soft with crisp edges.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Keywords: Christmas cookies, orange clove cookies, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, festive cookies, orange zest cookies, Christmas baking, homemade cookies
