ORANGE CREAMSICLE COOKIES

Orange Creamsicle Cookies made with sour cream and vanilla pudding mix for an ultra-soft texture, plus orange extract for classic citrus flavor. White chocolate chips add a creamy contrast, making every bite taste like the nostalgic frozen treat!

Orange Cream Cookies came from a recipe I stumbled upon one day when I was in the mood to bake, and I knew right away they were going to be a winner. A fun twist on a classic treat, they feature a bright hint of orange that’s hard to resist.

Perfect for summertime when lighter, refreshing desserts are a must, these cookies are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. No matter where you take them, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!

Making these creamsicle cookies

One of the coolest things about these orange flavored cookies is that you can use orange extract or orange essential oil. Just make sure it is labeled as safe for internal use (often called food-grade or culinary essential oil).

Both add a great amount of orange flavor with just a small amount. Although neither will really add to the orange color of the cookies and for that you can choose to use orange food coloring to accomplish the shade you want.

Chocolate Orange Cookies Ingredients

Sugar: 1 cup sugar sweetens the cookies and helps create a soft, tender crumb.

Butter: Using real butter adds rich flavor and gives the cookies their chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Egg: 1 egg binds the ingredients together while adding structure and moisture.

Extracts: Vanilla enhances the creamy flavor of the cookies while balancing the bright citrus notes, and the orange extract provides a bold, fresh orange flavor that creates that classic creamsicle taste.

Sour cream: Adding ⅓ cup sour cream keeps the cookies extra soft and tender.

Milk: Incorporating milk into the dough helps thin and smooth it out for even mixing and baking.

Salt: ½ tsp salt balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.

Leavening agent: Baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly and stay soft instead of dense.

Flour: 2 cups flour forms the base of the dough and gives the cookies their structure.

Chocolate: One 12-oz bag white chocolate chips add creamy sweetness that mimics the vanilla ice cream in a classic creamsicle.

Pudding: One small box vanilla pudding mix creates an ultra-soft texture while boosting the vanilla flavor throughout the cookies.

Tips for making Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips for helping with the baking process.

• Go light on the orange flavoring: Orange extract and especially essential oil are very concentrated. Start with less and add more only if needed, or the citrus can overpower the creamy vanilla flavor.
• Fully soften the butter before mixing: Softened (not melted) butter creams smoothly with the sugar, which helps the cookies bake up soft and evenly instead of spreading too much.
• Let the dough rest for a few minutes: Allowing the dough to sit for 5–10 minutes before scooping helps the pudding mix hydrate, resulting in thicker, softer cookies.

How long are these cookies good for?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, though they may start to become slightly stale after that.

They also freeze beautifully for up to 6 months when stored in an airtight container. For best results, freeze the cookies flat on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a container or freezer bag so they don’t stick together and are easy to grab one at a time.

Can I add orange zest?

Oh yes! That sounds incredible! Orange zest comes from grating the outside of a clean orange. It would not only help to give a stronger orange flavor but also add a level of freshness and gorgeous color.

Do I need to chill the cookie dough?

No chilling is required for this recipe. The pudding mix and sour cream help the cookies hold their shape, though letting the dough rest for a few minutes can make them slightly thicker.

Why do these cookies have sour cream?

That’s a baker’s secret. Orange cookies with sour cream is a great way to keep your cookies light and moist. Sour cream when used in baking helps to provide a little acidity, much like buttermilk would but it also helps to make doughs and batters thicker to retain shape- which is something you want in a cookie!

Can I substitute the white chocolate chips?

You can swap them for vanilla chips or even milk chocolate, but white chocolate best mimics the creamy vanilla flavor of a classic creamsicle.

Why do my cookies look underbaked in the center?

That’s normal for this recipe. The cookies finish setting as they cool, which keeps them soft and chewy instead of dry.

Cookies recipes perfect for spring & summer:

• Watermelon Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery treats topped with pink and green buttercream frosting, decorated to look just like juicy watermelon slices.
• Bright, zesty, and totally irresistible! These Double Lemon Cookies pack lemon pudding mix and crushed Lemon Oreos into soft, chewy bites of citrusy heaven.
• These Vanilla Cream Cookies combine creamy vanilla pudding mix with crushed Golden Oreos for an irresistible, easy-to-make treat.
• Lemon Jello Sugar Cookies use tangy lemon jello for bright flavor and are topped with a simple buttercream frosting — the perfect treat for lemon lovers.
• Sweet, soft, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor! Strawberry Cookie Cups are bite-sized delights and the ultimate treat for strawberry lovers.
• Our recipe for Raspberry Meltaway Cookies start with a tender cornstarch dough and powdered sugar, finished with a simple almond glaze swirled with raspberry jam for the perfect fruity touch.

These Orange Creamsicle Cookies capture that classic creamsicle flavor in cookie form, with soft orange-scented dough and sweet white chocolate chips in every bite.