Blood Orange Cookies – Soft, Citrusy & Naturally Vibrant
Blood Orange Cookies are a celebration of winter citrus at its finest—soft, buttery cookies infused with the bright, slightly floral flavor of blood oranges and finished with a naturally pink citrus glaze. These cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, making them elegant enough for holidays yet simple enough for everyday baking.
Unlike regular oranges, blood oranges bring a deeper citrus flavor with subtle berry-like notes. When baked into cookies, they add complexity, aroma, and a stunning natural color that makes these cookies stand out on any dessert table.
These cookies are:
- Soft and tender in the center
- Lightly crisp on the edges
- Bursting with fresh citrus flavor
- Naturally colorful without food dye
Perfect for winter baking, spring brunches, or gifting.
What Makes Blood Orange Cookies Special
Blood oranges have a richer taste than standard oranges, and their juice and zest elevate simple cookie dough into something truly memorable. The natural acidity balances the sugar, preventing the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
Why bakers love them:
- Unique citrus flavor
- Beautiful pink glaze
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Crowd-pleasing yet distinctive
They pair beautifully with tea, coffee, or a light dessert spread.
INGREDIENTS
Cookies
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Blood orange zest
- Blood orange juice
- Vanilla extract
Blood Orange Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Blood orange juice
- Blood orange zest
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg, blood orange zest, juice, and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.
- Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool cookies completely.
- Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and set.
Flavor, Texture & Baking Tips
These cookies should remain pale with just lightly golden edges—overbaking will reduce their softness. Blood orange zest carries most of the flavor, so zest generously before juicing.
Helpful tips:
- Use fresh blood oranges, not bottled juice
- Let glaze set fully before stacking
- Adjust glaze thickness with juice drops
For extra elegance, finish with a pinch of zest on top while the glaze is wet.
Storage & Make-Ahead Notes
- Store at room temperature up to 4 days
- Freeze unglazed cookies up to 2 months
- Glaze fresh for best appearance
They actually taste even better the next day as the citrus flavor develops.
Blood Orange Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in egg, zest, juice, and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients and mix gently.
- Bake until edges are set.
- Glaze once completely cooled.
