Why is the combination of bright orange flavor with creamy vanilla so dang good?! I don’t have the answer, but these orange creamsicle cookies hit the spot!
 
Remember being a kid on a hot summer day and asking your mom for a 50/50 bar? You know, those popsicles that were vanilla ice cream wrapped in orange popsicle. I can taste them now. So dreamy! 
Anyway, I used to loooove the orange dreamsicle, creamsicle, whatever they are called, Popsicles when I was little.
 
a photo of a golden baked orange creamsicle cookie loaded with white chocolate chunks and surrounded by other cookies.
 
Then Jamba Juice came out with the smoothie and I loved it. In fact, when I got out of the hospital after having our second baby, I was feeling a little hungry (that happens sometimes when you haven’t done anything other than throw up for months!) and the doctor really wanted me to try and eat anything I could.
 
So, off we went to Jamba. BEST. SMOOTHIE. EVER. I’m sure it was because I hadn’t eaten real food in forever but ohhhh it tasted good. I threw it up the second we got home, but worrrrtttthhhhhhh itttttttt!!! (Little one, you were worth it too.)
 
Back to these cookies…they have bold orange flavor thanks to fresh orange zest and are loaded with white chocolate chunks for that creamy vanilla flavor. These creamsicle orange cookies will make you feel like a kid again! 
 
a photo of an orange creamsicle cookie with a bite taken out of it so that you can see the cross-section of the cookie.
 

Ingredients Needed for Orange Creamsicle Cookies

This cookie recipe has all of your standard cookie ingredients with some fresh orange zest for natural orange flavor and white chocolate chips for creamy vanilla goodness. Here is what you will need:

  • Flour: just regular all-purpose flour 
  • Corn Starch: the addition of just a little corn starch keeps the cookies tender but still crumbly
  • Baking Soda: the leavening agent that gives the cookies their fluffiness
  • Salt: enhances all the flavors
  • Orange Zest: rub the zest with the white sugar to release oils for smell and flavor
  • Sugar: adds sweetness
  • Brown Sugar: make sure it is firmly packed and it adds richness to cookies
  • Butter: unsalted and softened
  • Shortening: you can use all butter if you want but you will get a fluffier cookie with some shortening added
  • Egg: gives the cookies structure as they bake
  • Vanilla: adds flavor
  • Orange Extract: totally optional, I prefer the cookies without it but it won’t have as strong an orange flavor. Never use orange juice.
  • White Chocolate: chunks or chips, I used Ghirardelli white chocolate chunks.

The measurements for each ingredient are listed in the recipe card below along with the instructions for how to make these cookies.

a photo of several golden baked orange creamsicle cookies loaded with white chocolate chunks all scattered on a piece of white parchment paper with orange slices scattered around them.

 

How to Make Creamsicle Orange Cookies

  1. Preheat oven.
  2. Chop the white chocolate chunks.
  3. Combine dry ingredients.
  4. Activate the orange zest by rubbing it with the white sugar in a small bowl.
  5. Cream together the butter with the brown sugar and white sugar (with orange zest).
  6. Add the remaining wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  7. Add dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.
  8. Stir in the white chocolate chunks.
  9. Bake.
The instructions in full detail can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Tips for the Best Cookies

  • Don’t overmix the cookie dough after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined. Overmixing will result in tougher cookies.
  • Rub the zest and sugar together to release the natural oils in the orange zest. This boosts the flavor and scent of the zest in the cookies.
  • Don’t press down the dough before baking. These cookies will be thick and chewy.
  • Don’t overbake the cookies. They are perfect when they are just starting to get golden around the edges. Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet to finish baking.

a photo of a thick and chewy orange creamsicle cookie with a pile of more cookies in the background

 

Variations for Orange Creamsicle Cookies

If you really want to live on the wild side, you could swap the orange zest (and extract) with lemon or with lime.

Lemon: These cookies with a lemon spin on them are seriously delicious! If you want to try a similar cookie, try our glazed lemon cookies.

Lime: I am a huge fan of lime desserts (our lime cheesecake with berry sauce is one of my all time faves), but I will be honest here, the lime zest sort of resembles grass when it is mixed into the dough and bakes (insert monkey covering eyes emoji). They taste amazing, but they aren’t going to look as appetizing as the orange or lemon versions. Oh man, they taste so good though! I was so bummed when they ended up looking like grass cookies…haha!

Storage Tips

Storing: Properly stored, fresh baked cookies will last 2-3 weeks in the pantry.

Freezing: If you want them to last longer you can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. Before baking, scoop them into balls and place the dough balls on a cookie sheet and place them into the freezer for at least a half hour (up to an hour) then place the balls into a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. You can thaw them before baking or bake straight from frozen. You’ll just need to add a few more minutes to the bake time.

After baking, let them cool completely and then place in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. Let them come to room temperature before eating.

 

Take a step back into those carefree days of youth and bite into one (or five) of these thick and chewy orange creamsicle cookies! The flavors will be familiar and irresistible! 

More Unique Cookie Recipes from Oh Sweet Basil

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

3.70 from 33 votes
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes

Description

These cookies have bold orange flavor thanks to fresh orange zest and are loaded with white chocolate chunks for that creamy vanilla flavor. These creamsicle orange cookies will make you feel like a kid again! 

Ingredients 

  • 2 1/2 Cups Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Corn Starch
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Orange Zest
  • 3/4 Cup Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1/2 Cup Shortening, or see note
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 Egg, large
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Orange Extract, optional
  • 2 Cups White Chocolate, chopped, I use Ghirardelli but any bar or white chocolate chips works

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Chop the white chocolate and set aside.
    2 Cups White Chocolate
  • In a bowl, combine flour, corn starch, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
    2 1/2 Cups Flour, 2 teaspoons Corn Starch, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • In a small bowl, rub together the orange zest and sugar until fragrant.
    2 Tablespoons Orange Zest, 3/4 Cup Sugar
  • In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and sugars (including the orange zest) until light and fluffy.
    1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, 1/2 Cup Shortening, 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • Beat in the egg, vanilla, and orange extract (optional) until smooth.
    1 Egg, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1/2 teaspoon Orange Extract
  • Slowly add flour mixture until combined.
  • Stir in white chocolate chunks or vanilla chips.
    2 Cups White Chocolate
  • Drop rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, Do not flatten cookies.
  • Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Do not overcook! Cookies will be plump.
  • Cool for several minutes on cookie sheets before transferring to rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • All butter can easily be used, but they are fluffier with shortening
  • Store in an airtight container

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 109mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100 Best Cookies Recipes on the Planet

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a photo of a golden baked orange creamsicle cookie loaded with white chocolate chunks and surrounded by other cookies.