Blood Orange Vanilla Sugar Cookies (Print Version)
Soft, citrus-kissed sugar cookies with blood orange zest and vanilla. Plant-based and dairy-free.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 1/2 cup refined coconut oil, melted (or vegan butter)
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 tbsp blood orange juice, freshly squeezed
04 - 1 tbsp blood orange zest
05 - 2 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat)
06 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
07 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
09 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
10 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
→ For Rolling
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add blood orange juice, blood orange zest, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until all wet ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls using your hands.
07 - Roll each dough ball in reserved 1/4 cup sugar, ensuring even coating on all sides.
08 - Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just set and centers appear slightly underbaked for soft texture.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of zesty citrus and warm vanilla creates a fragrance that fills your kitchen like a bakery.
- These cookies stay soft for days thanks to the coconut oil and plant milk keeping everything tender.
02 -
- Overmixing the dough develops gluten and creates tough cookies, so stop stirring as soon as the flour disappears.
- The cookies continue cooking on the hot baking sheet, so pull them when centers still look slightly raw.
03 -
- Zest the oranges before juicing them because trying to zest a squeezed, collapsed orange is frustrating and wasteful.
- Measure the flour by spooning into the cup and leveling off rather than scooping directly to avoid dense cookies.