Introduction

These Orange Almond Cookies are a delightful blend of citrusy brightness and nutty richness. Made with almond flour and fresh orange juice, they offer a naturally sweet and tender bite, perfect for a light treat or afternoon snack.

Orange Almond Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups almond flour
3/4 cup unrefined cane sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
1-2 teaspoons orange zest
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking oil. Set aside.
Step 2: Pour sliced almonds into a small bowl; you will use this to coat the cookie dough balls later.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour, unrefined cane sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and almond extract if using. Stir until the dough is sticky and well mixed.
Step 4: Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough and roll it into balls with lightly oiled hands. This recipe makes about 12 balls.
Step 5: Generously oil your hands and roll each dough ball until smooth. Press the ball gently into the sliced almonds on all sides to coat. If necessary, reshape and press again to ensure the almonds stick well.
Step 6: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about one inch apart.
Step 7: Use the palm of your hand to gently flatten each cookie to your desired thickness.
Step 8: Bake the cookies for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the sliced almonds turn a nice golden brown.
Step 9: Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet at room temperature for 20 minutes without moving them, so they firm up properly.
Step 10: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely for another 30 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor. Dried or bottled juice won’t give the same brightness.
If almond extract is not available, vanilla extract can be used for a different but pleasant aroma.
For a crunchier texture, toast the sliced almonds lightly before coating the dough balls.
Store leftover cookies with a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist longer.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of unrefined cane sugar?

Yes, regular granulated sugar can be substituted, though it may slightly alter the flavor and texture. Unrefined cane sugar adds a richer, more complex sweetness.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, these cookies are naturally gluten-free since they use almond flour instead of wheat flour. Just ensure all ingredients used are certified gluten-free if you have sensitivities.

Orange Almond Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 50 reviews

Delightfully chewy and flavorful Orange Almond Cookies made with almond flour, fresh orange juice, and a touch of orange zest. These gluten-free treats are topped with sliced almonds for a perfect crunch and have a subtle almond extract hint, making them an irresistible snack or dessert.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Yield: 12 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Almond Flour
3/4 cup Unrefined Cane Sugar
1/3 cup Orange Juice
1–2 teaspoons Orange Zest
1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)

Topping

1/2 cup Sliced Almonds

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Prepare sliced almonds: Place 1/2 cup sliced almonds in a small bowl for rolling the cookie dough balls later.
Mix cookie dough: In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour, unrefined cane sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and almond extract if using. Stir until the dough becomes sticky and consistent.
Form dough balls: Using a cookie dough scoop or tablespoon, scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into balls with lightly greased hands. This recipe yields about 12 dough balls.
Coat dough balls with almonds: Generously oil your hands again, roll each dough ball between your palms to smooth it, then press each side into the sliced almonds so they adhere. Flattening may occur, so gently re-roll to ensure almond coating sticks well.
Arrange on cookie sheet: Place each almond-covered dough ball on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about one inch apart.
Shape cookies: Lightly press the top of each ball with the palm of your hand to slightly flatten into cookie shapes.
Bake: Bake cookies at 350°F (180°C) for 15-17 minutes until the sliced almonds turn a golden brown.
Cool on sheet: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet at room temperature for 20 minutes to firm up, avoiding touching them while soft.
Finish cooling: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely for an additional 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Using fresh orange juice and zest enhances the citrus flavor, but you can adjust the quantity of zest based on your preference.
If almond extract is unavailable, you can omit it; the orange flavor still shines through.
Make sure to oil your hands well before rolling dough balls to prevent sticking.
Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring helps them set properly and prevents breaking.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Keywords: orange almond cookies, gluten free cookies, almond flour cookies, citrus cookies, healthy cookies, baked almond cookies