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Blood Orange Glazed Cookies

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  • Prep Time 10 min
  • Total 45 min
  • Ingredients 6
  • Servings 18
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Looking for a luscious treat that combines bright flavor with some serious visual appeal? These blood orange cookies are the dessert you’ve been dreaming of. They’re both fun to bake and look extra-impressive on any spread or cookie tray.

These cookies are surprisingly easy to make thanks to refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough. But the real magic happens with the addition of blood orange zest, which infuses these cookies with a sweet, refreshing citrus flavor. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, the glaze—made from a simple mix of powdered sugar and blood orange juice—is drizzled on top, creating a glossy, colorful finish. The blood orange glaze not only enhances the cookies' taste but also makes them look spectacular. The pop of pretty color makes this dessert totally unexpected, turning ordinary cookies into a stunning centerpiece for any occasion. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or just as a special treat to brighten a ho-hum day.

Making these cookies is a fun experience as you get to play with the bold flavors and watch the transformation from simple dough to beautifully glazed confections. The glaze’s color can vary depending on the blood oranges used, adding a touch of surprise and individuality to each batch. Blood orange cookies offer a delicious tangy twist on classic sugar cookies and are sure to impress anyone who sees and tastes them. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or just for fun, these cookies are a bright and delightful choice!

By Pillsbury Contributor
Updated Sep 24, 2024
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How to Make Blood Orange Glazed Cookies

Making blood orange cookies is a seriously simple process, thanks to Pillsbury Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough—and the final result is a cookie that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Here's a brief overview of the steps involved, but check out the detailed recipe directions provided below before you dive in.

Mix

First, preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine sugar cookie dough, flour, and fresh orange zest. Use an electric mixer set to medium speed to beat these ingredients until smooth. This mixture forms the base of your cookies, infused with a subtle citrus flavor.

Roll

Next, set the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to ½-inch thickness. Use a pizza wheel or knife to cut the dough into 1 ½-inch squares. Transfer these squares to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. To ensure the cookies hold their shape, freeze them until firm, which should take about 30 minutes.

Bake

Once the dough squares are frozen, bake them in a 350°F oven for 12 to 14 minutes. You'll know they’re ready when the edges are light golden. Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Glaze

While the cookies cool, prepare the blood orange glaze. In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with fresh blood orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, adjust its consistency by adding more orange juice, ½ teaspoon at a time. For a vibrant touch, add a few drops of food gel to the glaze and stir until the desired color is achieved.

Drizzle

Drizzle half of each cooled cookie with the prepared glaze and let set before serving. The result is a batch of blood orange cookies with a colorful, tangy glaze that’s sure to impress.

How to Store Blood Orange Cookies

Leftovers aren’t likely with this scrumptious blood orange cookies recipe. But in the event you do have some cookies to store, here’s how it’s done.

For short-term storage, just pop them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days. Just make sure the container is well-sealed so they don’t become stale.

If you want your cookies to keep longer, you can store them in the fridge. Just put them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. For even longer storage, try freezing them! Lay the cookies out on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll be good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour or give them a quick zap in the microwave.

However you store them, include a sheet of parchment paper if layering cookies on top of one another so they don’t stick together.

Ingredients

Steps

  •  
    1
    Heat the oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, beat the sugar cookie dough, flour, and orange zest until smooth with an electric mixer on medium speed.
  •  
    2
    Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2” thick. Cut with a pizza wheel or knife into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to a cookie sheet and freeze until firm, 30 minutes.
  •  
    3
    Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges are light golden. Let cool for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  •  
    4
    In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. If glaze is too thick, add more orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Tint by adding food gel a few drops at a time and stirring between each addition until the desired color is reached. Drizzle glaze over half of each cooled cookie. Let set.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

  • tip 1
    For the best results, wait until the glaze on your blood orange cookies is completely hardened and set before plating them. This ensures the glaze won’t smudge or stick to other cookies, so they look as good as they taste. Allowing the glaze to set also helps prevent it from becoming too messy when handling.
  • tip 2
    To turn this blood orange cookie recipe into an easy make-ahead treat, cut and freeze your cookie dough on a baking tray. Shape the dough into cookies and place them on the tray, then freeze until solid. This way, you can bake fresh cookies on another day without the prep work. Once the dough is frozen, transfer the cookies to a plastic storage bag or airtight container for longer storage, keeping them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen dough directly on a cookie sheet and bake, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed. This method keeps fresh cookies on hand anytime!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Other Fruit Can I Use for This Blood Orange Cookies Recipe?

If blood oranges are hard to find—or if you just want to try a new twist—don’t worry! There are plenty of other citrus fruits that work just as well. Regular oranges are a great substitute; they’ll provide a similar sweetness and citrusy flavor as the original recipe. Simply use orange zest and juice in place of blood orange.

Grapefruit is another interesting option, offering a tangier and slightly more complex flavor. It’s a good choice if you enjoy a bit of tartness in your cookies. Just remember to adjust the amount of sugar slightly, as grapefruit can be much more sour than blood oranges.

Lemon is also a fantastic substitute. It adds a bright, fresh flavor that pairs well with the sweet cookie base. Lemon zest and juice will give your cookies a lovely zing and a slightly different but still delightful taste.

When using these substitutions, consider adjusting the food color to match the fruit you’ve chosen. For regular oranges, use orange food color. For grapefruit, a drop or two of pink food color will work well. Lemon cookies might need a touch of yellow color. This will ensure your cookies not only taste great but also look appealing and vibrant.

When to Make Blood Orange Cookies

Blood orange cookies are perfect for when that featured fruit is in season, typically from winter to early spring. Their vibrant color and unique flavor make them a festive treat, especially during the holiday season. The rich, tangy taste of blood oranges adds a refreshing twist to your holiday baking, making these cookies an impressive addition to any celebration. Their colorful glaze also makes them visually appealing, ideal for festive gatherings and gift-giving. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or simply want to enjoy a seasonal treat, this blood orange cookies recipe is a can’t-miss pick! And making them when blood oranges are in season ensures you’re using fresh, flavorful ingredients, making your holiday treats even more special.

What Shape Are Blood Orange Cookies?

When it comes to shaping blood orange cookies, the classic shortbread forms—rectangular, square, or triangular—are always a great choice. These shapes are not only traditional but also practical, as they make the cookies easy to cut and handle. To achieve these shapes, simply roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, then cut it into your desired shape using a knife or pizza wheel.

If handling the dough is a bit tricky (or sticky), adjusting the amount of flour can help. Adding extra flour to the dough makes it easier to handle, resulting in cookies that are crispier and chewier. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer texture, you can omit the additional flour. This will give you cookies with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

Ultimately, the shape and texture of your blood orange cookies can be tailored to your preference, whether you’re aiming for a traditional shortbread style or a more customized look.

Nutrition Information

No nutrition information available for this recipe
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