Description

Orange Clove Cookies are a festive, aromatic treat combining warm spices like clove, cinnamon, and cardamom with fresh orange zest and juice. Enhanced with molasses and honey for a chewy texture, these soft, crumbly cookies are finished with a glossy orange glaze, making them perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy tea time.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

170 g butter, softened
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp fancy molasses
½ tsp salt
Zest of 1 large orange
Optional: a few dehydrated orange rings, finely chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp grated nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cardamom
A pinch of ground clove and allspice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour

For the Glaze:

1¼ cup icing sugar
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
2–3 tbsp Cointreau (or substitute with more orange juice for alcohol-free version)
A pinch of ground clove

Instructions

Cream the butter and sweeteners: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, honey, molasses, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Add zest and spices: Mix in the orange zest and dehydrated orange rings if using, followed by all the spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and allspice.
Incorporate the flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be pliable and slightly sticky; add more flour if too sticky or a splash of milk/water if too stiff.
Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm it up. This makes shaping easier and helps develop flavors.
Preheat oven and prepare cookies: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Shape the dough into balls sized between 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon depending on desired cookie size. Dust dough balls and cookie stamp with flour if using, then press. Alternatively, roll the dough and use cookie cutters.
Bake: Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on size. Edges should be lightly golden and centers just set to maintain a tender texture.
Make the glaze: While the cookies bake, whisk together icing sugar, fresh orange juice, Cointreau (or more orange juice), and a pinch of ground clove until thick yet pourable.
Glaze and finish baking: Once cookies are cool enough to handle, dip or drizzle each cookie with the glaze. Return the cookies to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to set and crackle the glaze slightly.
Cool and store: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Flavors deepen after a day or two.

Notes

If dehydrated orange rings are unavailable, increase orange zest for brightness.
Chill the dough longer for a firmer texture and enhanced spice flavors.
For alcohol-free glaze, omit Cointreau and use extra orange juice.
If the glaze is too runny, add more icing sugar; if too thick, thin with juice or water.
These cookies pair beautifully with black tea, spiced chai, or mulled wine for a festive touch.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Orange Clove Cookies, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, orange zest cookies, molasses cookies, festive desserts