Orange Creamsicle Cookies

These delicious orange creamsicle cookies will simply melt in your mouth! Made with a combination of cake mix, orange Jello, white chocolate chips, and a few other staple ingredients, these cookies are an absolute crowd-pleaser.

I absolutely love making cake mix cookies, and this orange creamsicle cookie recipe is one of my all-time favorites. It’s perfect for any time of year, whether you’re enjoying the summertime or getting into the Halloween spirit. There’s never a wrong time to indulge in the deliciousness of an orange cookie!

Looking for more orange desserts? Check out these scrumptious treats: creamsicle fudge, orange Crush sherbet, blood orange margarita, or even creamsicle moonshine.

Creamsicles have been a popular frozen dessert for many years. They’re essentially orange and vanilla-flavored popsicles that bring back waves of nostalgia with every bite.

By capturing the vibrant orange flavor and combining it with vanilla, these soft and chewy orange creamsicle cookies bring the creamsicle experience to a whole new level! Each bite is citrusy and creamy, truly a delightful treat.

  • It starts with a boxed cake mix, making it incredibly easy to prepare.
  • It’s budget-friendly, so you can make a delicious dessert without breaking the bank.
  • It’s family-friendly, with its nostalgic creamsicle flavors that both you and your children will adore.
  • It bursts with citrus flavor in every bite, offering a unique twist to the classic chocolate chip cookie. It’s the perfect recipe to step out of your comfort zone.
  • It has a soft and chewy texture, with a tender inside and slightly chewy edges that add a delightful contrast.
  • Cake Mix: Any brand of white cake mix will work perfectly. Look out for sales at your local grocery store to get the best deal.
  • Jello: Orange Jello adds that punch of citrus flavor to every bite of these cookies.
  • Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies that homemade taste.
  • Butter: Make sure to use softened butter. Avoid melting it in the microwave, as it can affect the texture of the cookies.
  • Eggs: Large eggs work great. For easier mixing, it’s best to use room temperature eggs rather than cold ones.
  • White Chocolate: Add a twist of vanilla to the classic creamsicle flavors by including white chocolate chips in the recipe.
  • If you don’t have orange zest or want even more orange flavor, add a splash of orange extract to the cookie mixture.
  • Create a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top. For an extra boost of orange flavor, add some orange juice or zest to the glaze.
  • Add some dried candied orange peel to the cookie batter for an enhanced flavor.
  • Instead of white chocolate chips, you can chop up white baking chocolate.
  • Sprinkle some colorful sprinkles or orange sprinkles on top for added visual appeal.
  • For a crunchy texture, add some macadamia nuts or almonds to the batter.
  • If you don’t have a white cake mix, a yellow cake mix will work just fine.

Don’t Overmix the Batter

It’s important not to overmix the cookie dough. Overmixing can cause the cookies to become dense and heavy.

Zesting Orange

When zesting the orange, make sure to only remove the orange portion of the fruit. Zesting the white flesh of the skin can make it bitter.

Softened Butter

Use softened butter, not melted butter. Melting the butter can make the cookie batter too soft, causing the cookies to spread too much and become flat.

Cookie Scoop

Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are evenly sized. This will guarantee that they bake uniformly. If you guess the size, some cookies may turn out dry and overbaked, while others may be too gooey.

Bakery Style Cookies

For that bakery-style look, after rolling the cookie dough into balls, add a few extra white chocolate chips on top. As the cookies bake, these extra chips will create beautiful pops of white chocolate on the surface.

Cool Cookies On Tray

After baking, let the cookies cool for 3-5 minutes on the tray before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. This will prevent the cookies from breaking and losing their shape due to uneven cooling.

Room Temperature

Store the cookies at room temperature in a sealed container. Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before placing them in the container. They will stay fresh for about 5 days.

Make Ahead and Freeze

You can make the cookie dough and form it into balls ahead of time. Freeze the dough balls on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When you want to bake the cookies, simply thaw the dough balls for a few minutes before baking, and then follow the regular baking instructions.

This is a great way to have freshly baked cookies anytime, whether for unexpected guests or a sudden craving.

Freezing

If you have leftover cookies that you don’t plan on eating right away, you can freeze them. Just store them in a freezer-friendly, sealed container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies on the counter.

Do I have to add chocolate chips to the cookie dough?

No, chocolate chips are optional. If you prefer, you can omit them or try different toppings like frosting or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Why do cookie recipes recommend room-temperature ingredients?

Room-temperature eggs and butter create the perfect soft-baked cookie texture. They also mix and incorporate better into the cookie batter compared to cold ingredients.

Can I use any cake mix for these cookies?

While vanilla or white cake mix is recommended, you can experiment with different flavors. A butter cake mix, for example, would add a unique twist of flavor to the orange creamsicle cookies.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

If you find that your cookies are spreading too much, refrigerate the raw cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. This will help solidify the fats in the dough and prevent excessive spreading.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free cake mix as the base for these cookies. Just keep in mind that gluten-free mixes may result in a slightly different texture and flavor.

Can I use orange food coloring to enhance the color?

Yes, you can add a few drops of orange food coloring to the batter before folding in the chocolate chips. This will give the cookies a vibrant orange hue.

If you enjoyed these orange creamsicle cookies, be sure to check out more delicious cookie recipes!

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Ingredients

  • 15 oz white cake mix (any brand)
  • 3 oz orange powdered Jello
  • 2 tbsp orange zest
  • 8 tbsp softened butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 11 oz white chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, orange Jello, and orange zest.
  3. Add the softened butter and eggs to the bowl. Mix on medium speed with a hand mixer, stand mixer, or whisk until creamy.
  4. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
  5. Use a cookie scoop to portion out 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls 1-2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are fully baked. Allow them to cool for 3-5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.
  7. Enjoy!

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