Orange Cardamom Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies that basically melt on your tongue. They pair bright citrus from fresh orange zest with warm, aromatic cardamom spice for a soft, fragrant treat. These cookies are perfect for holiday baking, afternoon tea, or anytime you want something flavorful and tender.
🌟 What Makes These Cookies Special
What sets these meltaways apart is their texture and flavor:
- They are very soft and tender, not crisp.
- The combination of orange zest and cardamom spice makes them fragrant and refreshing.
- A generous coating of powdered sugar gives them a snowy, elegant finish.
These are not chewy or crispy cookies — they are light, almost melting when you bite into them.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves About 24 Cookies)
You’ll need:
- 1 cup (about 226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (about 90 g) powdered sugar for the dough
- Zest from 1 orange (grated orange peel)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (about 250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- About ½ cup extra powdered sugar for rolling
🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This helps make the cookies tender and smooth.
2. Add Orange and Vanilla
Stir in the grated orange zest and vanilla extract. The orange zest gives a bright citrus aroma that balances beautifully with the spice.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cardamom, and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix — gentle folding keeps the cookies tender.
5. Shape the Cookies
Take small portions of dough and roll them into small balls (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm each). Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each.
6. Bake
Bake in a moderate oven until the cookies are just starting to set and may have very light color underneath — they should stay pale and soft.
7. Roll in Powdered Sugar
Remove the cookies from the oven and while they are still warm, roll them gently in the extra powdered sugar so they get a sweet, snowy coating.
8. Cool and Second Dusting
Set the cookies on a cooling rack. Once fully cooled, give them a second light dusting of powdered sugar if you like — this gives them their classic meltaway look.
☕ Serving Suggestions
These meltaways are wonderful with warm drinks:
- With tea — especially black or herbal tea
- With coffee
- As part of a dessert plate for guests
Their light texture and fragrant flavor make them a hit for holidays, parties, or special treats at home.
✨ Tips for Best Results
- Use fresh orange zest — it makes the flavor much brighter.
- Don’t overbake — meltaways should stay soft and pale.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft.