Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that bursts with exotic vanilla bean and bright, zesty orange flavors. These aren't your ordinary sugar cookies – they're a gourmet experience that will transform your baking game and impress even the most discerning dessert lovers. With just the right balance of sweetness and aromatic complexity, these cookies are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using the back of a knife. Add the vanilla bean seeds and orange zest to the butter mixture.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Gently flatten each cookie ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with orange-vanilla glaze for extra flavor.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality vanilla beans for the most intense flavor – the difference is remarkable!
- When zesting oranges, only scrape the bright outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
- Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture.
- Don't overmix the dough – this can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing to maintain their ideal texture.
- Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- For extra elegance, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar or a delicate orange-vanilla glaze.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 140kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 20mg
