Soft, chewy, sunshine-bright cookies infused with real orange zest and creamy vanilla. These cookies recreate the nostalgic magic of a classic Creamsicle popsicle but in warm, bakery-style cookie form. Perfect for summer parties, holidays, bake sales, or anytime you want a bright citrus treat

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (from ~1 large orange)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon orange extract (optional but recommended)
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Creamsicle Glaze

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Extra orange zest for garnish

Instructions

Make the Cookies

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar
   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy.
4. Add Oil & Egg
   Mix in the vegetable oil and egg until fully combined and smooth.
5. Add Flavorings
   Stir in the orange zest, orange extract, vanilla, and orange juice.
6. Add Dry Ingredients
   Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
7. Scoop & Shape
   Scoop dough into balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each). Roll lightly in hands for smooth edges if desired.
8. Bake
   Place on baking sheet, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
9. Cool
   Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Creamsicle Glaze

10. Mix Glaze
    In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
11. Drizzle or Dip
    When cookies are completely cool, drizzle glaze on top — or dip each cookie halfway for a bakery-style finish.
12. Zest to Finish
    Sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra orange zest over the glaze for maximum color and citrus aroma.

Tips for Perfect Creamsicle Cookies

• Don’t overbake — the magic is in keeping them soft.
• Use fresh orange zest, not bottled. It makes all the difference.
• Add more orange extract for stronger Creamsicle flavor.
• For extra chew, replace 2 tablespoons of sugar with brown sugar.
• Chill dough for 20 minutes if you want puffier cookies.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine at:

• Summer picnics
• Baby showers
• Brunch tables
• Bake sales
• Pool parties
• Orange-themed dessert boards

Serve with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Iced citrus tea
• Whipped cream dips
• Fresh berries

Storage

• Room temperature: 4 days
• Refrigerator: 1 week
• Freezer (baked cookies): 2 months
• Freezer (unglazed dough balls): 3 months

Creamsicle Orange Sugar Cookies

Soft, chewy citrus–vanilla sugar cookies inspired by classic orange creamsicle flavor, perfect for summer treats and bright, nostalgic desserts.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Summer

Ingredients Equipment

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1.25 cups granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg large
• 1 tbsp fresh orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp orange extract optional
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice

Creamsicle Glaze

• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• extra orange zest for garnish

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Baking sheet
• Cooling rack