Bright, zesty, and wonderfully nutty, this Orange Almond Cookies Recipe is a delightful treat that brings a fresh twist to classic almond cookies. The combination of fragrant orange zest and juice with rich almond flour creates a chewy, tender texture that melts in your mouth. Each bite offers a perfect balance of citrus brightness and nutty depth, with a lovely crunch from sliced almonds on the outside. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet snack, this recipe is sure to become a treasured favorite in your collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients work together to create the perfect harmony of flavors and textures in the Orange Almond Cookies Recipe. Every component, from the almond flour to the orange zest, adds a unique note—whether it’s rich nutty flavor, natural sweetness, or fragrant citrus aroma.
- Almond Flour: The base of the cookies, providing a naturally moist, grain-free texture.
- Unrefined Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness without overpowering the orange flavor.
- Orange Juice: Infuses the dough with fresh citrus notes and helps bind the mixture.
- Orange Zest: Intensifies the orange flavor, delivering bursts of bright aroma in every bite.
- Sliced Almonds: Coats the cookies for a delightful crunch and an attractive finish.
- Almond Extract (optional): Enhances the almond flavor for an extra depth of taste.
How to Make Orange Almond Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lightly oil the parchment to prevent sticking. This preparation ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet easily, setting you up for success from the very beginning.
Step 2: Get Ready with Almonds
Place the sliced almonds in a small bowl. These will be used later to coat the cookie dough balls, adding a delightful crunch and that signature nutty exterior.
Step 3: Mix the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour, unrefined sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and almond extract if you’re using it. Stir until the dough becomes sticky and consistent. The orange juice not only provides flavor but also helps to bring the dough together perfectly for shaping.
Step 4: Shape Into Balls
Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll each into a ball with lightly oiled hands. You should get about 12 balls. The oiling step keeps the dough from sticking to your palms, making the process smooth and fun.
Step 5: Coat with Sliced Almonds
Generously oil your hands again, then roll each cookie dough ball between your palms to smooth them out. Press each side of the ball into the sliced almonds so they stick. Flatten the ball slightly and re-roll to ensure the almonds adhere firmly. This step is key to achieving that beautiful almond-encrusted exterior that everyone loves.
Step 6: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place all the coated dough balls about one inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Leaving space between them helps them bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 7: Flatten the Cookies
Use the palm of your hand to gently press down each cookie ball, flattening it slightly. This helps them bake into perfect, tender discs rather than round lumps.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Bake your cookies for 15 to 17 minutes at 350°F (180°C) until the almonds turn a beautiful golden brown and the cookies look set. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing!
Step 9: Cool on the Sheet
Let the cookies cool directly on the baking sheet for 20 minutes at room temperature. They are soft when hot, so this waiting time allows them to firm up gently without breaking apart.
Step 10: Transfer to Rack to Cool Completely
Finally, move the cookies to a cooling rack for an additional 30 minutes. This last step ensures they cool evenly and maintain their perfect chewy texture.
How to Serve Orange Almond Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra orange zest or powdered sugar on top for a beautiful, fresh finish. You can also add a delicate drizzle of melted dark chocolate for a rich contrast that complements the citrus and almond flavors perfectly.
Side Dishes
This cookie pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, a cappuccino, or even a chilled glass of fresh orange juice. The bright citrus in the cookie enhances these drinks, creating a perfectly balanced snack time experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a decorative platter lined with orange slices or edible flowers to impress your guests. For a gift, pack them in a cute tin or a mason jar layered with parchment paper and tied with a pretty ribbon. Their gorgeous color and texture alone make them a standout treat to share!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Orange Almond Cookies Recipe treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This preserves their chewy texture and ensures they stay fresh for whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring them to a sealed freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, making it a great option for stocking up ahead of time.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature. For a freshly baked feel, warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, which revitalizes the aroma and brings back some softness.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of unrefined sugar?
Yes, regular granulated sugar can be used, but unrefined sugar adds a subtle molasses-like depth that enhances the cookie’s flavor uniquely.
Is almond flour gluten-free?
Absolutely! Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making this Orange Almond Cookies Recipe suitable for those avoiding gluten.
Can I substitute orange juice with something else?
You could try lemon juice for a different citrus twist or even a splash of milk, but orange juice gives the best flavor balance in this recipe.
How do I make sure the almonds stick to the cookie dough?
Rolling your hands with a little oil before shaping and then pressing the dough balls firmly into the sliced almonds helps them adhere nicely and gives you that pretty crunchy coating.
Why do I need to cool the cookies on the baking sheet before moving them?
They are quite soft when hot and fragile, so cooling them on the sheet prevents breaking as they firm up, ensuring perfect texture and shape.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the full scoop on making these sunny and scrumptious Orange Almond Cookies Recipe delights, it’s time to pull out your mixing bowl and get baking! You’ll love how easy this recipe is to follow and how every bite bursts with flavor and texture. Trust me, once you try them, these cookies won’t just be a favorite for you—they’ll be a beloved treat for everyone lucky enough to taste them.
Print
Orange Almond Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Orange Almond Cookies are a delightful blend of nutty almond flour and fresh citrus flavors. Sweetened with unrefined cane sugar and infused with orange juice and zest, these cookies are naturally gluten-free and feature a crunchy almond coating that adds a perfect texture contrast. Simple to prepare and baked to golden perfection, they make a deliciously light treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Almond Flour
- 3/4 cup Unrefined Sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Orange Juice
- 1–2 teaspoons Orange Zest
- 1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
- Cooking oil spray (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper, then lightly oil the parchment paper with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare almonds: Pour the sliced almonds into a small bowl; these will be used later to coat the cookies.
- Make the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, unrefined cane sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and almond extract if using. Stir until the dough becomes sticky and has a consistent texture.
- Form dough balls: Using a small cookie dough scoop or tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll into balls with lightly greased hands. This recipe yields about 12 cookie dough balls.
- Coat dough balls in almonds: Generously oil your hands again and roll each dough ball between your palms until smooth. Then press each side of the ball into the sliced almonds so they stick all around. If needed, gently re-roll the dough to improve almond adhesion.
- Arrange cookies: Place all almond-coated dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about one inch apart.
- Flatten cookies: Lightly press down the top of each cookie ball with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes until the sliced almonds turn a nice golden brown.
- Cool on sheet: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet at room temperature for 20 minutes without moving them, as they are soft initially and will firm up as they cool.
- Final cooling: Transfer the cookies carefully to a cooling rack and cool for an additional 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Using almond flour makes these cookies naturally gluten-free and adds a rich, nutty flavor.
- Unrefined sugar gives a deeper, more complex sweetness than regular white sugar.
- Orange zest can be adjusted to your preference for more or less citrus intensity.
- If almond extract is unavailable, you can omit it; the cookies will still have great flavor from the orange.
- Ensure hands are well-oiled to prevent sticking when shaping the dough balls.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on a rack to achieve the best texture before storing.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
