Soft Chewy Orange Clove Cookies Zesty Spiced Perfection

Orange Clove Cookies

Soft, chewy, and full of cozy citrus spice, these orange clove cookies wrap bright orange zest and warm spices into every bite. They are the perfect baking project when you want your kitchen to smell like pure holiday happiness and your cookie jar filled with zesty spiced perfection.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes per batch
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: About 50 minutes active time (plus chilling)
Yield: About 30 cookies

Ingredients

For the Soft Chewy Orange Clove Cookies

• 2 ½ cups (300 g) all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest (from about 2 to 3 large oranges)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons fancy molasses

For the Optional Orange Glaze

• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice (for glaze)
• ½ teaspoon fresh orange zest (optional, for glaze)

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep your ingredients

Take the butter and eggs out of the refrigerator about 1 to 2 hours before baking so they can come to room temperature. Measure out all ingredients and lightly grease or line your baking sheets with parchment paper for later. Room temperature ingredients help create a smooth, emulsified dough and a soft, chewy cookie texture.

Step 2: Zest the oranges

Using a microplane or the fine side of a box grater, zest your oranges, taking only the bright orange outer layer and avoiding the white pith, which is bitter. Measure out 2 tablespoons of orange zest for the dough and set aside a little extra if you would like to garnish the glazed cookies later.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar

In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice to make sure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 4: Add eggs, honey, molasses, and zest

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined. Mix in the honey and fancy molasses until smooth. Finally, add the 2 tablespoons of orange zest and beat for another 30 to 60 seconds so the zest is evenly distributed and the mixture smells fragrant and citrusy.

Step 5: Whisk the dry ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom. Whisking thoroughly helps distribute the spices and leavening evenly so every cookie has the same warm, spiced flavor.

Step 6: Combine wet and dry

Turn the mixer to low speed. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until no dry streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing, which can develop too much gluten and make the cookies tough instead of soft and chewy. A few small lumps are fine.

Step 7: Add the orange juice

Pour in the fresh orange juice and mix on low speed just until incorporated. The dough will be soft and a bit sticky. This is exactly what you want for moist, tender orange clove cookies.

Step 8: Chill the dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to develop, firms up the butter so the cookies do not spread too much, and makes the dough easier to roll and cut.

Step 9: Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets

When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup easier.

Step 10: Roll out the dough

Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. If the dough is very hard, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes until pliable. Try not to let it get too warm or it will become sticky and harder to work with.

Step 11: Cut and arrange the cookies

Using a 2 inch round cookie cutter or your favorite shape, cut out cookies and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading. Gather the dough scraps, gently re roll once or twice, and cut more cookies. Avoid repeated re rolling, which can toughen the dough.

Step 12: Bake the cookies

Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look just set. The cookies should still look slightly soft in the middle. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning. Do not overbake or the cookies will lose their soft, chewy texture.

Step 13: Cool the cookies

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. They are delicate while hot. After 5 minutes, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat rolling, cutting, and baking with the remaining dough.

Step 14: Make the orange glaze

While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps. Gradually whisk in the orange juice, adding it a teaspoon at a time until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon but is not too runny. If desired, stir in the optional orange zest for extra flavor and color.

Step 15: Glaze the cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, glaze them. Either drizzle the glaze with a spoon in thin ribbons, dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze for fuller coverage, or spread it on with a small offset spatula. Place the glazed cookies back on the wire rack set over parchment paper to catch drips.

Step 16: Garnish and let set

While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle a little reserved orange zest on top of some cookies for a decorative, zesty finish. Allow the glaze to set for at least 30 minutes, or until it firms up to the touch. Setting time will vary based on the humidity in your kitchen.

Step 17: Store and enjoy

Store your orange clove cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. The flavors of orange, clove, and warm spices deepen over the next day or two, making them even more delicious. For longer storage, freeze the unglazed cookies for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature and glaze just before serving.

Pro Tips for Soft Chewy Orange Clove Cookies

1. Do not skip the chill time
   Chilling is key to keeping these soft chewy orange clove cookies thick and tender. It prevents the cookies from spreading too thin and gives time for the citrus and spices to marry.
2. Use fresh spices for the best flavor
   Ground cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom lose their punch over time. If your spices are older, consider replacing them so the warm spice profile really shines.
3. Adjust the spice level to your taste
   If you love a bolder clove note, add an extra pinch of cloves. For a milder cookie, slightly reduce the cloves and boost the orange zest instead.
4. Check your cookies early
   Start checking at 8 minutes. The cookies should look set but still soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
5. Play with shapes for seasonal baking
   The dough works beautifully with simple shapes like rounds, stars, or snowflakes. Just keep them around ¼ inch thick for even baking and that ideal chew.

Extra Tips

• For a slightly crisper exterior, bake on the higher rack of your oven and let the edges get just a touch deeper golden.
• For extra citrus punch, add a teaspoon of orange extract along with the zest and juice.
• Make a gift ready cookie tin by pairing these with plain sugar cookies or dark chocolate cookies so the zesty spiced perfection of the orange cloves really stands out.
• If you prefer scoop and bake cookies instead of rolled and cut, chill the dough, then scoop into balls and bake. The texture will be a bit thicker and more rustic but still soft and chewy.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 cookie	140	2 g	20 g	6 g	0.5 g	11 g

Disclaimer:
Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

• With hot drinks
  These cookies are incredible with a mug of black tea, chai, or strong coffee. The bright orange and warm clove cut through the richness of creamy drinks like lattes or hot chocolate.
• On a holiday cookie platter
  Pair your soft chewy orange clove cookies with dark chocolate cookies, almond shortbread, or gingerbread. The zesty citrus spice acts as a bridge between chocolatey and traditional spiced cookies.
• As a dessert topping
  Crumble a couple of cookies over vanilla or orange ice cream, then drizzle with a little warm caramel or dark chocolate sauce for an easy, impressive dessert.
• With cheese and fruit
  For a cozy dessert board, serve these cookies alongside slices of aged cheddar or gouda, fresh orange segments, and dried cranberries. The sweet spice and citrus contrast beautifully with salty cheese.
• Gift ready treats
  Stack 4 to 6 cookies in a clear bag, tie with ribbon, and add a small tag featuring the phrase soft chewy orange clove cookies zesty spiced perfection. They make a beautiful hostess gift or neighbor treat.

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