Orange Poppy Seed Cookies

Do you like lemon poppy seed cookies? Then you'll love these orange poppy seed cookies, flavored with fresh orange zest and poppy seeds.

By
Garrett McCord
Garrett McCord
Garrett McCord
Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.
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Updated May 27, 2022
Garrett McCord
Orange Poppy Seed Cookies
Elise Bauer

When these orange poppy seed cookies bake, it’s culinary aromatherapy.

The bright orangey flavors with the slightly citric and nutty, textural pop of poppy seeds make these cookies taste like bursts of sunshine itself!

The cookies are easy to put together. They're light and delicate, yet packed with flavor. Perfect for cookie-loving kids, yet still perfectly suitable for bridal parties, baby showers, or other lighthearted events.

Feel free to switch out orange for lemon if you want something a bit more reminiscent of the classic lemon poppy seed muffin.

If you do decide to use lemon, try switching out the poppy seeds for a teaspoon of ground coriander and add it with the rest of the dry ingredients for a more Mediterranean, slightly savory cookie.

Orange Poppy Seed Cookies

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 32 mins
Servings 42 servings

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature

  • 1 egg, room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

  • 1 1/4 cups flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • Pinch salt

  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Method

  1. Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

  2. Add the egg and the orange zest, beat for thirty seconds, scraping down the bowl part way through to ensure even mixing.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly sift it into the butter mixture until just combined. Fold in the poppy seeds.

  4. Place heaping teaspoonfuls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or Silpat, allowing them space as they will spread as they bake.

  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until just turning golden around the edges. Remove from oven. Let sit on the baking sheet for a minute or two to let the cookies solidify a bit, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Orange Poppy Seed Cookies
Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
48 Calories
2g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 42
Amount per serving
Calories 48
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 37mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 8mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.