Orange Creamsicle Cookies are chewy, yummy, cake-like cookies with creamy orange and vanilla flavor. We loved creamsicle popsicles growing up and these orange sugar cookies capture that nostalgic taste perfectly! Plus, these are studded with yummy, decadent white chocolate chips.
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These orange drop cookies are soft, chewy, and fruity! They're a unique treat if you want something a little different than traditional cookies like oatmeal raisin cookies or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Even better they're so easy to make!
If you love fruity-flavored cookies, don't miss our Fruit Pizza Cookies, Coconut Lime Cookies and Frosted Banana Cookies.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe for orange flavored cookies is so simple and straightforward to make. It comes together in no time.
- Amazing Flavors: Plenty of fresh orange zest, authentic vanilla extract, and fluffy cake mix add incredible flavor to these cookies.
- Chewy, Soft Texture: These are pillowy, cake-like cookies. If you're a fan of soft cookies over crispy ones, you're going to absolutely love these.
Ingredients
- White Cake Mix: You can use any brand of white cake mix, whichever is your favorite. Yellow cake mix could work too but will give a slightly different color and taste.
- Orange Jello: You just need one small box for this recipe to get plenty of orange flavor. We recommend using regular Jello, not sugar-free. The Jello adds a vibrant orange color and intense citrus flavor to the cookies.
- Orange Zest and Fresh Orange Juice: You'll want to zest about 2-3 oranges. When zesting, only use the orange part of the peel (the white pith would be too bitter). We recommend using fresh orange juice as it gives the best flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Look for a high quality pure vanilla extract, not imitation to give these creamsicle orange cookies the best flavor.
- Butter: Use butter softened to room temperature. This will help the butter cream better with the other ingredients for the best texture. If you want to use unsalted butter you will need to add a small amount of salt to the cookie dough.
- Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature work best. Take them out and leave them on the countertop when you take the butter out of the fridge.
- White Chocolate Chips: Choose high-quality white chocolate chips that list cocoa butter as an ingredient. They'll taste richer than alternatives made with vegetable oils.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Version: Look for a gluten-free white cake mix to use for the orange cookies.
- Double the Zest: Add an extra tablespoon of orange zest or throw in a little lemon zest too for even more citrus flavor.
- Different Chocolate Chips: You could also use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips in these yummy orange cookies. Any type of chocolate goes well with orange!
- Add Coconut: Mix in toasted coconut flakes with the white chocolate chips for a tropical flavor and added texture.
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Add a white chocolate drizzle to the top for even more sweet, rich, creamy flavor for this orange creamsicle cookie recipe.
How To Make Orange Creamsicle Cookies
Before starting to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients. Add the white cake mix, orange Jello, and orange zest to the bowl of a stand-up mixer. Whisk together until all of the ingredients are well blended.
- Step 2: Mix in the Wet Ingredients. Mix in the orange juice, vanilla extract, butter, and eggs using the lowest speed of your electric mixer.
- Step 3: Add the White Chocolate Chips. Slowly add them in. If you snack on a few, we won't tell!
- Step 4: Scoop the Cookies. Use a 2-inch cookie scoop and put about 2 inches of space between each on the tray.
- Step 5: Bake. Bake the creamsicle cookies for 10-12 minutes or until each cookie has a slight golden tint around the edges. Let them cool completely, serve, and enjoy.
Hint: Using a Cookie Scoop
For the most evenly sized and perfectly baked cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough so all of them are uniform in size and shape.
Expert Tips
- Sift the Flour: Sifting the flour will minimize the amount of mixing needed to combine everything so you don't over-mix the dough.
- For Finely-Grated Zest: Use a microplane or a fine grater to zest the orange.
- Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs have had a chance to sit out for a while so that they incorporate easily.
- Don't Overbake: You'll know these are done when the cookies are lightly golden around the edges and the surface cracks a bit. Take them out before they brown too much. They'll continue to set as they cool off.
- Storing: Store these cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. If you prepare them with icing, refrigerate them after the second day. These are better fresh than frozen because of the chewy, fluffy texture from the cake mix.
Serving Suggestions
This orange cookies recipe is fun to make for summer pool parties, kids' birthday parties, potlucks, school celebrations, or family get-togethers. Kids and adults alike go crazy for them.
- Dessert on dessert? Yes, please! Serve the cookies with creamsicle popsicles for a real treat with the most creamy vanilla and orange flavor.
- Decorate them with cream cheese icing and serve alongside fresh slices of orange for a refreshing taste of fresh citrus and a cute and fun display.
- Plan a yummy picnic with ham cheese pinwheels, zesty Italian pasta salad, and these delicious orange cake mix cookies.
- Serve an assortment of fruity desserts including these orange cream cookies, raspberry lemonade cookies, and our strawberry pretzel salad recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, they may still be slightly soft in the middle but the bottom and top should be lightly golden. They'll continue to cook for a few minutes while they cool on the baking tray.
Yes! Lemon or cherry flavor could work. Feel free to experiment and see which flavors are your favorite!
More Easy Cookie Recipes
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Orange Creamsicle Cookies
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz white cake mix your favorite brand
- 3 oz orange Jello 1 small box
- 3 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350℉. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add white cake mix, orange Jello, and orange zest to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together until all the ingredients are well blended.
- Next, mix in the orange juice, vanilla extract, butter, and eggs. Mix together. While the mixer is on low speed slowly add in the white chocolate chips.
- Place the dough on the prepared cookie sheets using a 2 inch cookie scoop. Leave about 2 inched between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until each cookie has a slight golden tint around the edges. Cool completely, serve and ENJOY!
Notes
- To achieve that signature creamsicle flavor, use fresh orange zest from the orange part of the peel only and pair it with high-quality pure vanilla extract rather than imitation.
- Get the most consistent results and best texture by allowing your butter and eggs to come to room temperature before mixing. This helps all ingredients blend together smoothly.
- Watch for lightly golden edges and slight surface cracks as your visual cues that the cookies are done, being careful not to overbake them since they'll continue setting up as they cool.
- Measure out each portion with a 2-inch cookie scoop and space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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