Orange Meltaway Cookies (2024)

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Orange Meltaway Cookies

These Orange Meltaway Cookies just might be the best cookies that you’re going to taste this year. The subtle orange flavor combined with the “melt-in-your-mouth” cookie is enough to have you whipping up another batch time and time again.

What I love most about these cookies is that you actually get to use real orange zest! Many people are used to using lemon or lime zest but how many times can you say that you’ve actually used orange zest in a recipe? These cookies give you just the perfect chance!

How do you get orange zest?

Just because you’ve heard the term “orange zest” time and time again, it doesn’t mean that you actually know what it is. And if you’re asking me, orange zest is actually something really fun to do.

I always start by washing the outside of the orange really well. You’re going to want it to be nice and clean since you’re adding zest from the outer layer of the peel.

Then, once it’s clean and dry, simply start grating it like you would grate cheese. Gently move it around the surface of the orange and make certain that you’re grating the top layer of the peel. If you get down to the white portion of the peel underneath the bright orange then you just need to rotate the orange and start grating on another area.

Is orange peel and orange zest the same thing?

It’s not although many people do tend to lump them together. As described above, orange zest is the orange outer layer of the orange peel. The orange peel is the entire layer of the peel, including the white part underneath the bright orange top layer.

Can you zest with a cheese grater?

In my house, I’ve zested with any size grater that I can find. A cheese grater can work, but you’re wanting to make certain that you’re using a grater that gives you a fine zest because you don’t want to have large chunks of orange peels in your cookies.

The entire point of zesting is to have a subtle taste and flavor without actually having the texture.

How to store Orange Meltaway Cookies

Once these cookies are baked and cooled, you need to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Doing this will make certain that they’re fresh for at least 3 days after baking them.

If you still can’t eat them all during this time, consider adding them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freezing them to enjoy for later. Anytime we freeze cookies in our house, I freeze them in batches of 4-5 so that I can unthaw just a few to enjoy rather than having to worry about eating them all once they’re unfrozen.

Why are these cookies called “meltaway” cookies?

This is because of the texture of the cookies. They literally do melt away right in your mouth. It’s a crazy amazing combination of the butter and the sugar and once you eat them, you’ll understand. The fact that this cookie recipe calls for 2 sticks of butter should be a good indication that they’re going to be super-rich and super yummy. Just like M&M’s, they’ll melt in your mouth but not in your hands!

If you’re looking for some super simple and delicious cookies, you really can’t go wrong with these Orange Meltaway Cookies. The orange taste and flavor will have you coming back time and time again. This is one cookie recipe that you can easily share with your family and friends. They’ll be so impressed by your baking abilities as well that they just might make this be your new dessert staple to bring to all the family gatherings and functions!

Ingredients Needed To Make Orange Meltaway Cookies

Flour
Baking powder, salt
Butter, sugar
Egg
Orange zest
Powdered sugar
Orange juice

Actual measurements are down below in the recipe card.

How To Make Orange Meltaway Cookies

Preheat oven to 375° and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt together, set aside.
In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy.
Add egg and orange zest. Mix until combined.
Mix flour into sugar mixture, a little at a time, making sure to mix well between additions.
Using a 1 inch cookie scoop, place each cookie on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
Flatten each cookie a little with the back of a small measuring cup or a smooth cup
Pop in the oven and bake for 8 ½ minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for a couple minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, mix powder sugar and orange juice together until combined.
Spoon a little icing on top of each cookie and garnish with orange zest, optional.

Try These Delicious Cookies Today

And if you want more cookies, here are a few more that can be found on the blog, plus many more.

Apple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Chip Pecan Pretzel Cookies
Cranberry Walnut Cookie Balls
Butterscotch Crunchies