Orange Slice-and-Bake Butter Cookies
In short: Buttery orange-zest icebox cookies: shape the dough into logs, chill, then slice and bake as many as you need, with a sparkling sugar rim. It takes about 37 min in total and makes 22 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 37 min
- Servings
- 22
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 115 kcal
Slice-and-bake cookies are dough you make once and bake whenever you like. Shape it into logs, chill them, and cut off as many rounds as you need, so warm cookies are 15 minutes away on a day you did not plan for them. This version is scented with fresh orange zest and rolled in coarse sugar for a crisp, sparkling rim. The cookies are buttery, delicate and not too sweet.
Instructions
- Beat the butter, powdered sugar and orange zest for 2 minutes until creamy. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and salt until the dough comes together. It will be soft and a little sticky.
- Divide the dough in two. Shape each half into a log about 4 cm (1 1/2 in) thick and 18 cm (7 in) long, using a sheet of parchment paper to roll it smooth.
- Roll the logs in the coarse sugar, wrap them in parchment and chill for at least 2 hours, until very firm. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice the logs into rounds 8 mm (1/3 in) thick with a sharp knife, turning the log a quarter turn after each cut so it does not flatten. Place the rounds 3 cm (1 in) apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn light golden. Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
Tips
- If the log flattens on one side as it chills, roll it gently on the counter after 20 minutes in the fridge to round it again.
- Swap the orange zest for lemon zest, or add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped pistachios or 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom to the dough.
Questions and answers
How long can slice-and-bake dough stay in the fridge?
Up to 5 days when tightly wrapped, or freeze it for 3 months. Slice straight from frozen and bake 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Why does my slice-and-bake dough crumble when I cut it?
The log is too cold or too dry. Let it soften for 10 minutes at room temperature and cut with a thin, sharp knife using a gentle sawing motion.
Can I make these cookies without the egg yolk?
Yes. Leave the yolk out and add 1 tablespoon of milk instead. The cookies will be a little crisper and sandier.
How long does it take to make Orange Slice-and-Bake Butter Cookies?
About 37 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Orange Slice-and-Bake Butter Cookies?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 28 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
