Italian orange cookies are the perfect companion to a cup of tea or your favorite coffee. Slightly crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside, they remind me of orange flavored lady fingers. These cookies are also simple to make just like Nonna’s Pineapple cookies, Anginetti and Sicilian Almond Paste Cookies.
Great for breakfast or any time of the day
This recipe comes straight from my mother’s kitchen. Nonna’s biscotti all’arancia are everyone’s favorite breakfast cookie. Our family is scattered all over the east coast and when they come to visit Mom always makes sure she has a batch of these cookies on hand. We have some fussy cookie eaters in the family and this recipe seems to please everyone. My brother doesn’t like frosting on his cookies, the kids want something sweet, and my son doesn’t like chocolate. But everyone loves Nonna’s orange cookies.
How to make Italian Orange Cookies
Nonna’s simple orange cookies are just that…simple!
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Using an electric mixer. Combine the sugar and Crisco and mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until the eggs are fully incorporated.
- Pour the orange juice into the egg mixture and mix well.
- Combine the flour, baking powder and orange zest in a medium bowl.
- With the mixer on low gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Beat for a minute or two and scrape down the sides to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare a small bowl with powdered sugar.
- Drop of tablespoon of dough into the powdered sugar and roll the dough to coat it on all sides. Carefully shape the dough into an oval and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly tap the dough with your fingers to slightly flatten the cookie.
- Repeat with the remaining dough. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between the cookies as they will rise and expand.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until the cookies are crinkled and lightly golden.
FAQ
I find that the best way to store these cookies is in an airtight container with waxed paper between each layer. They will stay fresh for a about a week if they last that long. I would not recommend refrigerating these cookies. Refrigerating them will make them go stale quickly.
Yes! My mother freezes most of her cookies just in case she has unexpected company and needs something special to serve with coffee or tea. So, you can freeze them right in your airtight container if you like. Mom always wraps the container in plastic wrap to make sure that the seal is good, and she has never had a problem.
You can also lay them in a single layer in a plastic freezer bag. Just make sure that you don’t put anything on top of them in the freezer as the cookies are delicate and will break.
Looking for other Sicilian cookie recipes? Try one of these traditional favorites:
Nonna’s Cuccidati – Italian Fig Cookies
Or some chocolatey good recipes
Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Italian Orange Cookies – Nonna’s Biscotti All’Arancia
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Shortening
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1 Orange Zest
- 3 cups Flour
- 4 tsp Baking Powder
- 3/4 cups Confectioners Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Using an electric mixer, combine the sugar and shortening and mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until the eggs are fully incorporated.
- Pour the orange juice into the egg mixture and mix well.
- Combine the flour, baking powder and orange zest in a medium bowl.
- With the mixer on low gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Beat for a minute or two and scrape down the sides to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare a small bowl with powdered sugar.Drop of tablespoon of dough into the powdered sugar and roll the dough to coat it on all sides. Carefully shape the dough into an oval and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly tap the dough with your fingers to slightly flatten the cookie.Repeat with the remaining dough. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between the cookies as they will rise and expand.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until the cookies are crinkled and lightly golden.
Yum, Enza, you have the best recipes. I pin so many. These I will definitely try! I hope you’re all well. The baby is so beautiful!
Thank you so much Angela! Let me know what you think of the recipe when you make the cookies. I would love to get your thoughts.
Hi..Is it okay to use butter rather than shortening? These looks amazing.
Thanks very much.
Jo
Hi There! I have not tried making them with butter so I can’t say how they would turn out, but I think that it should be okay. If you try I would be interested in knowing how it works for you.
Hello, this recipe is perfect. I used butter instead of shortening and they were delicious.
Thank you so much for your kind note! I am so glad that you loved my mom’s recipe!
These cookies are so delicious and easy to make! The perfect little treat for afternoon coffee , tea or anytime of day! Will definitely be making them again!
Mary I am so happy that you loved these cookies! You are right, they are perfect for anytime of day and they are delicious with a cup of coffee or tea!