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top view of italian orange cookies on black cookie sheet
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5 from 17 votes

Italian Orange Cookies

These Italian orange cookies are crackled, light, and quite moist. The hint of orange flavor comes from using orange juice and orange zest with optional orange extract. Recipe can be halved or doubled.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 60 cookies
Calories: 146kcal
Author: Marie

Equipment

  • cookie sheets

Ingredients

  • 7.5 cups all purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1.25 cups shortening
  • 4 medium oranges zested
  • 8 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tbsp vanilla or orange extract
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar (powdering sugar) for rolling cookies; plus more if needed

Instructions

  • Cream the shortening and then add juice, sugar, extract, and orange zest and mix until well combined.
  • Add in the eggs one at a time and beat well.
  • Combine the baking powder and the flour in a separate bowl and then add the flour mixture to the egg/sugar/shortening mixture 1 cup at a time until all is well combined.
  • Refrigerate the dough covered for 2 to 24 hours.
  • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and fill a plate with sifted confectioner sugar.
  • Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough evenly and then roll each portion into a smooth ball.
  • Roll each ball into the confectioner sugar to coat the cookies. I like to do this twice.
  • Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Do not over bake; cookies should be light in color and the bottom edges should be slightly golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg