Orange Clove Cookies are a festive, aromatic treat perfect for the holiday season or whenever you crave a cozy, spiced dessert. These cookies blend the warmth of clove, cinnamon, and cardamom with the bright citrus notes of orange zest and juice. The rich molasses and honey deepen the flavor, while a delicate glaze adds the perfect finishing touch.
These cookies are soft, crumbly, and wonderfully fragrant—ideal for tea time, gifting, or simply enjoying with a warm drink on a chilly day.
What Makes These Cookies Special
- Warm, Spiced Flavor: These cookies bring together clove, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger for a holiday-inspired spice profile.
- Citrus Brightness: Fresh orange zest and juice cut through the richness, balancing the warm spices beautifully.
- Molasses & Honey: A sweet, slightly smoky base that gives these cookies a chewy texture and rich taste.
- Orange Glaze: A quick glaze made with orange juice and powdered sugar gives these cookies a shiny, crackled finish and extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
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 an 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 if using), followed by all the spices.
- Incorporate the flour: Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be pliable and slightly sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour. If it’s too stiff, add a splash of milk or water.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm it up. This makes shaping easier and helps the flavors develop.
- Preheat oven and prepare cookies: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Roll dough into balls (1 tsp to 1 tbsp each depending on your desired size). If using a cookie stamp, dust the dough balls and stamp with flour before pressing down. Alternatively, roll the dough and use cookie cutters.
- Bake: Arrange cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10–14 minutes, depending on size. Edges should be lightly golden, and the centers just set. Slight underbaking is ideal to keep the texture tender.
- Make the glaze: While cookies bake, whisk together the icing sugar, orange juice, Cointreau (if using), and clove. The glaze should be thick yet pourable.
- Glaze and finish baking: Once cookies are out of the oven and cool enough to handle, dip or drizzle each cookie with the glaze. Return cookies to the oven for another 1–2 minutes to help the glaze set and crackle slightly.
- Cool and store: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. The flavors deepen after a day or two.
Times & Yield
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: About 18–25 cookies, depending on size
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
Tips & Variations
- If you don’t have dehydrated orange rings, just use more orange zest for bright flavor.
- Chill the dough longer if you want a firmer texture or more developed spice profile.
- For alcohol-free cookies, skip the Cointreau and add extra orange juice to the glaze.
- If your glaze is too runny, add a little more icing sugar. If too thick, thin it out with juice or water.
- Cookies pair wonderfully with black tea, spiced chai, or mulled wine for an extra festive touch.
Final Thoughts
These Orange Clove Cookies are an elegant yet easy treat that fills your kitchen with the scent of winter spices and citrus. Whether you make them for a holiday cookie platter or just because, they’re sure to impress with their delicate flavor, beautiful glaze, and irresistible texture. Give them a try—you might just find your new seasonal favorite.