Growing up, my mother always made these Italian Orange Cookies with this delicate glaze topped with sprinkles. In Italian they are called Biscotti All'Arancia. These cookies are the perfect treat with a cup of coffee.
For the longest time she called them Biscotti di Buffalo because she acquired the recipe during a visit to a relative in Buffalo where the kids couldn't stop eating them!
If you like simple recipes with an Italian flair, try this easy to make Sheet Pan Cherry Crostata which is another one of my mom's quick and simple Italian desserts!
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If you love traditional holiday desserts, try our recipe for Cuculi Calabrese or Calabrian Turdilli.
Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- Easy to make and ready in about one hour
- Great portable dessert for parties like bridal showers or baby showers
- Taste is appealing to both children and adults
- Perfect treat to curb your appetite and to have with a cup of coffee
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How to Make Orange Cookies
This recipe uses staples available right in your kitchen with the exception of the Crisco. If you are like me, you'll probably need to buy Crisco before you make this recipe. Start by melting the Crisco and let it cool down before adding it to the egg mixture.
In a medium sized bowl mix sugar and eggs. Add zest and juice of one orange.
Incorporate melted and cooled Crisco a little bit at a time to egg mixture. Add milk and 2 cups of the flour
Use a spatula to continue to add and mix remaining flour until the dough reaches the consistency of a dough you can scoop.
coop dough onto baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Place icing sugar in a small bowl and add milk a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency for a glaze.
Once cookies have cooled down, dip in the glaze, then top with sprinkles. Return to baking sheet to set.
Storage: These orange cookies can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Lightly cover them with plastic wrap.
Meal Prep Tips
Let the melted Crisco cool down completely before mixing it in with the egg mixture.
Use a spatula when you can mix the batter with a hand mixer anymore.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some ideas and variations for traditional Orange Cookies:
- Cocoa - add cocoa to make a chocolate cookie or chocolate orange cookie
- Lemon - substitute lemon for the zest and juice of an orange
- Chocolate Chips - add chocolate chips to the batter
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
The most popular Italian cookie is the Amaretti.
Crisco makes cookie batter softer and lighter than butter or oil.
Desserts to Try
Recipe Details
Italian Orange Cookies Biscotti All'Arancia
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
Cookies
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup crisco
- 1 orange juice and zest
- 8 tsp baking powder
- 4 cups all purpose flour
Icing
- ¾ cup icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk or water
- ¼ cup sprinkles
Instructions
Cookies
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Melt Crisco on stovetop or in microwave until just melted and set aside to let cool.
- In a medium sized bowl mix sugar and eggs. Add zest and juice of one orange.
- Add melted and cooled Crisco a little bit at a time to egg mixture. Add milk and 2 cups of the flour alternating between the two until the batter is too thick to mix with a mixer. Add baking powder.
- Use a spatula to continue to add and mix remaining flour until the dough reaches the consistency of a dough you can scoop. (Depending on how much juice was in your orange, you may need to add more flour until you get a scoopable cookie dough)
- Using a scoop or spoon, scoop dough onto baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cook for 12 to 16 minutes until bottoms are golden and tops are firm but springy.
Cookie Glaze
- Place icing sugar in a small bowl and add milk a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency for a glaze. Once cookies have cooled down, dip in the glaze, then top with sprinkles. Return to baking sheet to set.
- Cookies can stay at rom temperature, lightly covered for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
Meal Prep Tips
Let the melted Crisco cool down completely before mixing it in with the egg mixture. Use a spatula when you can mix the batter with a hand mixer anymore.Nutrition
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Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Susan says
These are true Italian orange cookies!!! My dear friends mom shared the recipe years ago but I lost it. Thank you so much for sharing this authentic recipe. Most others use butter but it is Crisco or lard that was commonly used!!!
They are the best!!!!
AmyG says
Yes, you are absolutely correct. My mother rarely uses butter. She mostly uses Crisco because it has a lighter taste than lard. Glad this brought back memories for you!