Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies for Holiday Cheer Recipe

Introduction

These Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies bring warm holiday spices and bright citrus together in a soft, flavorful treat. Perfect for sharing or gifting, they fill your kitchen with inviting aromas and festive cheer.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon clove
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cream the softened butter and honey together in a bowl until smooth and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Stir in the molasses, then gradually mix in the flour and salt.
3. Step 3: Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, allspice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a log shape or press it into a cookie stamp or cutter. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Slice the chilled dough into 1/2-inch thick pieces and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–14 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
6. Step 6: While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze by mixing the icing sugar, orange juice, Cointreau (if using), and ground clove until smooth.
7. Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and brush them with the glaze. Return to the oven for an additional 3–5 minutes, until the glaze sets.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger orange flavor, add extra orange zest or a few drops of orange extract to the dough.
• Replace Cointreau with any orange-flavored liqueur or skip it for a non-alcoholic version.
• Chilling the dough longer enhances flavor and makes slicing easier.
• Use cookie stamps with festive designs for an extra holiday touch.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to two weeks. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a substitute for molasses?

Yes, you can replace molasses with dark brown sugar or maple syrup, though the flavor and texture will be slightly different.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour, ensuring it contains xanthan gum for proper texture.

Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies for Holiday Cheer Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 110 reviews

These Festive Orange Clove Christmas Cookies bring a delightful blend of warm spices and citrus zest, perfect for holiday celebrations. Softened butter, honey, and molasses create a rich base, enhanced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and allspice to fill your kitchen with seasonal aromas. Finished with a sweet orange glaze infused with Cointreau, these cookies are both flavorful and festive.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup Butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Molasses
• 2 cups Flour
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon Clove
• 1/2 teaspoon Allspice
• 1 tablespoon Orange Zest
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Glaze

• 1 cup Icing Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Orange Juice
• 1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Clove (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Honey: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and honey together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring a light texture for the cookie dough.
2. Add Molasses: Stir the molasses into the creamed mixture, blending well to incorporate its rich flavor.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and salt, followed by the spices—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and allspice—along with the orange zest and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a log or press it into a cookie stamp or cutter shape. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
5. Preheat and Slice: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the chilled dough and slice it into approximately 1/2 inch thick pieces. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are golden brown, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
7. Prepare the Glaze: While the cookies bake, mix the icing sugar, orange juice, Cointreau (if using), and ground clove in a small bowl until smooth to create a fragrant glaze.
8. Glaze and Final Bake: Remove the cookies from the oven and brush them with the prepared glaze. Return them to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes to set the glaze and enhance the flavors.

Notes

• For a non-alcoholic version, omit the Cointreau in the glaze and substitute with extra orange juice.
• Ensure butter is properly softened for easier creaming and better texture.
• Chilling the dough helps in easier slicing and maintains cookie shape when baked.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• These cookies pair wonderfully with hot tea or mulled wine for festive gatherings.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, festive cookies, orange clove cookies, holiday baking, spiced cookies, glazed cookies