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SOFT ORANGE COOKIES

Authentic Italian cookies made with fresh orange juice & zest – a true homemade delight.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Christmas Italian Recipes, Italian Cookies
Cuisine Italian
Servings 20 cookies

Notes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup sunflower oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 2 medium eggs
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and slightly foamy. Add the oil, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix until combined.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

Sift in the flour and baking powder. Stir with a spatula until the dough comes together. It should be soft and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Rest the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This step will make shaping easier and prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop out small portions of dough (about the size of a walnut), roll them into balls with your hands, then coat each ball generously in powdered sugar.

Step 5: Bake

Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly cracked and the cookies are set but still soft. Do not overbake — they should remain pale in color.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with more powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
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