Orange Lunch Box Cookies

Brighten up your lunchtime with these citrusy Orange Lunch Box Cookies, packed with the sweetness of white and brown sugar, the crunch of walnuts, and the burst of fresh orange zest and juice. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a sweet treat to share with friends.

Ready Time

1 hrs 10 mins

Yields

10 servings

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 3/4 cup white granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional), 2 tbsp orange zest, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to make cleanup a breeze.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set it aside for now. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Beat in those eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture from earlier, then stir in those chopped walnuts if you’re using them. Don’t overmix! Stir in the orange zest and juice until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

You should end up with 10 delicious Orange Lunch Box Cookies!

Notes

These Orange Lunch Box Cookies are perfect for packing in lunch boxes or snacks on-the-go. If using walnuts, be sure to chop them finely to distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Don’t overbake, as these cookies will firm up a bit as they cool.

If you want a crisper cookie, bake for 15 minutes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Consider doubling the recipe if you need more than 10 cookies – they’re that good!