These orange creamsicle cookies will literally melt in your mouth. An orange cookie that is made with cake mix, orange Jello, white chocolate chips, and a few other staple ingredients. These creamsicle cookies are going to win over a crowd after a single bite.
I love a good cake mix cookie recipe. But, I have to say the orange creamsicle cookie recipe I am sharing today is one I love to make all year round. Great for the summer, and Halloween season, and even add to your back-to-school snack rotation. There is never a wrong time to dive into an orange cookie!
Want more orange desserts? Try out one of these scrumptious treats. Creamsicle fudge, orange Crush sherbet, sip on this blood orange margarita, or creamsicle moonshine.
What Are Orange Creamsicle Cookies?
Creamsicle is a popular frozen dessert that was served for years. An orange and vanilla-flavored popsicle that was full of nostalgia in each bite.
This creamsicle cookie is going to take the vibrant orange flavor and vanilla and create a soft and chewy cookie! This orange creamsicle cookie recipe is a citrus cookie that offers a creamy after-tone!
Reasons You Will Love This Orange Creamsicle Cookie Recipe
- Starts with a boxed cake mix, so it is easy to prep!
- Budget-friendly, so if you need to make a dessert but don’t want to break the bank this is a great dessert idea.
- Family-friendly to make, as it has the nostalgic creamsicle flavors you and your children will love.
- Bursting with citrus flavor in each bite! Different than a classic chocolate chip cookie. A great recipe to step out of the box.
- Soft and chewy texture! They are tender on the inside with a slight chew on the edges of the cookies.
Ingredients Needed
Cake Mix: I used a white cake mix, any brand you enjoy will work. Make sure to check for sales at the grocery store to snag the best deal.
Jello: Orange jello is going to give that nice punch of citrus in each bite of these cookies.
Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest is the secret ingredient! It makes these cookies taste homemade!
Butter: Opt for real butter that has been softened. Don’t melt the butter in the microwave as that will affect the texture of the cookies.
Eggs: Large eggs work great. If you can use room temperature eggs as they will cream into the batter easier than cold eggs.
White Chocolate: Add in some white chocolate chips for that vanilla twist to the classic creamsicle flavors you are searching for.
Swaps and Variations
If you don’t have orange zest or want additional orange add a splash of orange extract in the cookie mixture.
Create a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top. If you want orange flavor add some orange juice or even orange zest.
Add some dried candied orange peel to the cookie batter for an enhanced flavor.
Chop up white baking chocolate instead of white chocolate chips.
Add in some colorful sprinkles or even just orange sprinkles for added orange color to the cookies.
Want a crunch? Add in some macadamia nuts for a nice nut-filled cookie. Even almonds would work great with the orange flavor.
If need be reach for a yellow cake mix instead of a white cake mix.
Tips for Success
Don’t Overmix the Batter
Make sure that when you are mixing up the cookie batter you do not overmix the cookie dough. If you do, it can cause the cookies to become dense and heavy.
Zesting Orange
Make sure that when you zest the orange you only remove the orange portion of the fruit. Otherwise, it will get bitter if you zest the white flesh of the skin.
Softened Butter
Use softened butter not melted butter. If you melt the butter it will create too soft of a cookie batter and your cookies can fall flat.
Cookie Scoop
Reach for a cookie scoop so that all your cookies are even in size. This is a must as it is going to ensure that all the cookies will bake evenly. If you just guess on size, some cookies can be a little dry and overbaked and others could be gooey.
Bakery Style Cookies
Want that bakery-style cookie? After you roll your cookie dough into balls, add a few extra white chocolate chips on top. As the cookies bake down you will have pops of white chocolate chips on top. This is a bakery secret!
Cool Cookies On Tray
Using a wire cooling rack is going to help ensure the cookies cool properly. I like to let the cookies set on the prepped cookie sheet for 3-5 minutes after they are baked.
This helps ensure the cookies don’t break when you go to lift them off the cookie sheet. You will also find sometimes if you go to remove the cookie too fast it alters the shape as the cookies were too warm to move.
Storing
Room Temperature
Store the cookies at room temperature on the counter in a sealed container. You will want to ensure the cookies are fully cooled before you go to add the cookies to the container. They will last for around 5 days or so.
Make Ahead and Freeze
You can make up the cookie dough and form it into balls. Then place on a parchment-lined tray and flash freeze the cookie dough. Once it is frozen transfer to a freezer bag or freezer container. Then bake the same just add a few minutes extra to allow the cookies to thaw before they begin baking.
This is great to keep on hand in the freezer for unexpected guests or if you get a sweet craving. Just bake up 1-2 cookies and enjoy fresh cookies anytime you want.
Freezing
You can also freeze any of the leftover orange cream cookies you don’t plan to eat right away. Simply store in a sealed container that is freezer friendly. Freeze for 3-4 months. Then thaw the cookies on the counter when you want some.
FAQs
Do I have to add chocolate chips to the cookie dough?
No, you can leave the chocolate chips out if you want. Just mix and bake the exact same. You can leave them plain, frost, or even dust with powdered sugar if you want.
Why do cookie recipes recommend room-temperature ingredients?
Room-temperature eggs and butter create the perfect soft-baked cookie texture. You will also find that room temp ingredients mix and incorporate better into the cookie batter compared to cold ingredients.
Can I use any cake mix for these cookies?
Vanilla or white cake mix is the best, but yes experiment if you want. Even a butter cake would be a fun twist in flavor to the orange-cream cookies.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
If you find your cookies are spreading too much, refrigerate the raw cookie dough for 30 minutes. Then go back to baking. It will help solidify the fats in the dough.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Feel free to use a gluten-free cake mix for the base of these cake mix cookies. Just know that gluten-free mixes have a slight change in texture and flavor.
Can I use orange food coloring to enhance the color?
Yes, go right ahead and grab food coloring and add a few drops into the batter before you fold in the chocolate chips.
More Cookie Recipes
Orange Creamsicle Cookies
Ingredients
- 15 oz white cake mix any brand will do.
- 3 oz orange powdered jello
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 8 tbsp butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 11 oz white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then prep two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set them to the side.
- Next in a large mixing bowl add your cake mix, orange jello, and orange zest. Mix to combine.
- Then you will add in the softened butter and eggs and mix on medium speed with a hand mixer. Or you can use a stand mixer or whisk.
- Once creamy, add in the white chocolate chips and fold the chips in the batter.
- With a cookie scoop do 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Leave 1-2 inches apart from each cookie on tray.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are baked fully. Let cool for 3-5 minutes on baking sheet then place on a wire cooling rack.
- Enjoy.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!
Leave A Reply!