My Sunny Kitchen Helper
I first made these cookies with my grandson, Leo. He called them citrus doodles while drawing shapes in the dough. The name just stuck. I still laugh at that.
These cookies are like little bits of sunshine. The lemon and orange zest make the whole kitchen smell amazing. It chases away the grayest of days.
Why This Recipe Matters
Baking is more than just making food. It is a way to show someone you care. Sharing these cookies is like sharing a happy hug.
It also teaches us a little patience. Waiting for the cookies to cool before glazing is hard. But it makes the result so much better. Good things take time.
Let’s Make the Dough
First, let your butter get cozy on the counter. Room temperature butter is the secret. It makes the dough smooth and creamy.
When you zest the lemon and orange, be careful. You only want the bright yellow and orange skin. The white part underneath is a bit bitter.
Fun fact: A tablespoon of zest uses about one whole lemon. Isn’t that neat?
The Magic of the Glaze
The glaze is my favorite part. It’s so thin and zesty. It soaks into the warm cookie just a little.
Be sure to spoon a few pieces of zest on top. They look so pretty. It’s like decorating a little cake. What’s your favorite part of decorating cookies?
A Cookie for Sharing
These cookies are perfect with a glass of cold milk. They are not too sweet. The citrus gives them a little zing.
I love bringing a plate to a neighbor. It always starts a nice chat. Do you have a favorite recipe to share with friends?
Your Baking Adventure
Now it’s your turn. Don’t worry if your cookies are not perfect. The best part is the smell in your kitchen.
I would love to hear about your baking day. Did your family enjoy the citrus doodles? Tell me all about it.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All purpose Flour | 2 3/4 cups | For the Cookies |
| Baking Powder | 1 tablespoon | For the Cookies |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | For the Cookies |
| Sugar | 1 1/2 cups | For the Cookies |
| Eggs | 2 | For the Cookies |
| fresh Lemon Juice | 1 tablespoon | For the Cookies |
| fresh Orange Juice | 1 tablespoon | For the Cookies |
| Zest of 1 Lemon | For the Cookies | |
| Zest of 1 Orange | For the Cookies | |
| Unsalted Butter | 2 sticks | room temperature, For the Cookies |
| Powdered sugar | Approximately 2 1/2 cups | For the Zesty Glaze |
| Juice of half an orange | For the Zesty Glaze | |
| Juice from one and a half lemons | For the Zesty Glaze | |
| Zest of 1 lemon | For the Zesty Glaze | |
| Zest of 1 orange | For the Zesty Glaze |
Glazed Citrus Doodle Cookie Recipe
Hello, my dear! Come sit with me. Today we are making my Glazed Citrus Doodle cookies. They are my grandson’s favorite. He calls them “sunshine cookies.” I think that is just the sweetest thing.
The dough is soft and full of zesty flavor. The glaze is a thin, sweet coat. It soaks right in. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let’s get our hands busy. I will walk you through it.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
Step 1: First, turn your oven on to 350 degrees. It needs to be warm and ready for our cookies. Then, take a big bowl for your dry things. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt with a fork. This makes everything light and happy. I still laugh at that. My first time, I forgot the baking powder. The cookies were so flat!
Step 2: Now, let’s use the hand mixer. Combine the soft butter and sugar. Add all the lovely zest and juices. Mix it until it looks creamy and smooth. This part is my favorite. The smell of citrus fills the whole kitchen. It reminds me of a summer day.
Step 3: Crack in the eggs, one at a time. Let the first one disappear into the mix. Then add the second. This helps them become friends with the butter. Now, pour in your flour mixture. Mix it all until you see no more white spots. (A hard-learned tip: Scrape the bowl’s sides with a spatula. Don’t leave any good dough behind!)
Step 4: Time to roll the dough. Make little one-inch balls with your hands. Place them on a greased cookie sheet. Give them two inches of space to grow. They need room to become perfect little puffs. Do you know why we roll them into balls? Share below!
Step 5: Bake them for twelve to fifteen minutes. They should be just lightly golden. Let them cool on the pan for five minutes. They are too soft to move right away. Then, move them to a wire rack. This keeps them from getting soggy bottoms.
Step 6: For the glaze, just whisk everything together. The juice, the zest, and the powdered sugar. It will be a thin, shiny glaze. If you like it thicker, add a bit more sugar. Once the cookies are slightly cool, drizzle the glaze on. Be sure to spoon a few pieces of zest on each one. Let the glaze set for a bit. Then, enjoy your little bites of sunshine.
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Yield: About 3 dozen cookies
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Three Zesty Twists to Try
I love playing with this recipe. Sometimes, a little change makes it new again. Here are some fun ideas for you. They are all so simple and delicious.
- Lemon-Lavender Dream: Add a teaspoon of dried lavender to the dough. It tastes like a fancy garden party.
- Orange Spice Sparkle: Mix in a half teaspoon of cardamom. It gives a warm, cozy feeling with every bite.
- Citrus Thumbprint Jam: Press your thumb into the dough balls before baking. Fill the little hole with raspberry jam after they cool.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Sunshine Cookies
These cookies are wonderful all on their own. But I like to make a little moment of it. For a treat, serve them on a pretty blue plate. The yellow glaze looks so cheerful against it. You could also crumble one over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Oh, that is a real delight.
What to drink? A cup of Earl Grey tea is my go-to. The bergamot and citrus are old friends. For a fun fizzy drink, try a glass of ginger ale with an orange slice. The bubbles are so happy. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Citrus Doodles Fresh
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh. But they keep well for three days in an airtight container. I just use my old cookie tin. You can also freeze the dough for a future treat.
Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Then pop them into a freezer bag. This way, you can bake just a few at a time. I once baked a whole batch for my grandson’s visit.
I was so happy to have them ready. Batch cooking like this saves you time. It also makes your kitchen smell wonderful on a busy day. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Cookie Troubles and Easy Fixes
Sometimes cookies can spread too much in the oven. Make sure your butter is just soft, not melted. I remember when my first batch turned into one giant cookie. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes fixes this.
If your cookies are too cakey, you might have over-mixed the flour. Just mix until you see no more white streaks. This matters because gentle mixing keeps cookies tender. It builds your confidence when you know the fix.
Is your glaze too runny? Simply add more powdered sugar. A good glaze should coat the back of a spoon nicely. This makes the flavor just right, not too sweet. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Cookie Questions Answered
Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. It works just fine.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead? A: Absolutely. You can keep it in the fridge for two days.
Q: What if I don’t have an orange? A: Just use all lemon juice and zest. It will still be delicious.
Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half.
Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A sprinkle of poppy seeds adds a fun crunch. Fun fact: Poppy seeds come from the same flower as opium, but the edible seeds are perfectly safe! Which tip will you try first?
Bake Some Sunshine
I hope you love baking these cheerful cookies. They always bring a little sunshine into my kitchen. Sharing them with family is my favorite part.
I would be so delighted to see your creations. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Your photos might just inspire another baker.
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Glazed Citrus Doodle Cookie Recipe
Description
Bright and zesty Glazed Citrus Doodle Cookies, featuring a soft, buttery cookie base infused with fresh lemon and orange, topped with a thin, tangy glaze.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
For the Zesty Glaze:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- With a fork, mix flour, baking powder and salt then set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, combine butter, sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice and lemon juice. Mix until creamy and smooth.
- Incorporate the eggs one at a time.
- Add the dry flour mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
- Roll dough into one inch balls and place two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for twelve to fifteen minutes then remove and cool for five minutes.
- Transfer to wire racks for cooling and glazing.
- For the Zesty Glaze: Whisk together the juice of half of an orange, juice from one and a half lemons, the zest of one lemon, the zest of one orange and approximately two and a half cups of powdered sugar. This glaze will be thin and will lightly coat the cookies. If you prefer a thicker glaze just add more powdered sugar until the desired consistency.
- Once the cookies have cooled for about ten minutes, drizzle the glaze over the top. Be sure to spoon a few pieces of zest onto each cookie.
- Let the glaze set for ten to fifteen minutes.
Notes
- For a more intense citrus flavor, let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking. Ensure cookies are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.