Friday, February 25, 2011

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

A dear friend of mine came over today for lunch and cookbook browsing. She brought a delicious cauliflower chowder and I made Garlic Knots for dipping in the soup and these Orange Creamsicle Cookies. The food was delicious and we had a fabulous time!

These Orange Creamsicle Cookies were inspired by the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies I found at Espresso and Cream and made just before Valentine's Day. The strawberry version of these cookies were to die for and I immediately wanted to try an orange version. I imagined the cream cheese frosting when paired with an orange cookie would taste just like a creamsicle!

These cookies were almost as good as I imagined. I used Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Orange Supreme Cake Mix as the base for these cookies. The resulting cookie was a little more tart than I was imagining, but still really yummy! I think I preferred the strawberry version of these cookies a bit more than the orange but they were still delicious and I'm curious to try more variations. These are a easy treat to throw together and look super cute when decorated with sprinkles, colorful sugar, or edible pearls. With so many cake mix flavors available, the combinations for these cookies are pretty limitless.

Orange Creamsicle Cookies
inspired by and adapted from Espresso and Cream
makes ~2 dozen cookies

For the cookies:
1 box of Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat.

Sift the cake mix into a large bowl. Add the lightly beaten egg, oil and water; stir by hand until the ingredients are evenly combined. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough and roll between your hands to make a smooth ball. Set on a baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten the tops of the cookies.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly cracked and very lightly golden around the edges. Be careful not to over bake. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting:
8 oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon orange bakery emulsion (optional)
sprinkles for decorating (optional)

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Add vanilla extract, orange bakery emulsion, if using, and milk. Beat until fully incorporated and frosting is smooth.

Using an offset spatula or a knife, spread frosting on top of cooled cookies. Immediately garnish with sprinkles. Frosting will be very soft at first, but will set up slightly (enough so that cookies may be lightly stacked) in a few hours. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for a few days.

7 comments:

  1. I am trying this RIGHT. THIS. MOMENT. So good!

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  2. I have never seen an orange cake mix before, but I guess I have never really looked for one? I love orange creamsicles. I am curious now to see what these taste like. I'll have to try the strawberry version too.

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  3. Lelan, I hope you love them!

    Jenn, I found the Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix at Kroger. I hope you can find it!

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  4. I know I am posting over a year after you posted this,but for anyone reading and wanting to make the same cookie use 2 eggs and 1/3 cup veg oil.Mix,drop by rounded tablespoon,and bake about 8 minutes at 375 degrees.You can use ANY type of cake mix to make cookies like this.The cake mix companies have discovered this and are now selling "cake mix cookie's" mix(like the cake mixes) however they are more expensive than the cake mix itself.Baking cookies like this is the preferred way in my house and they are always requested when I offer to bring something to a get together.If you do use the yellow cake mix,add a teaspoon of vanilla to it.Sometimes I sprinkle in a little sugar(like with the Devils Food cake mix) I also add choco chips or even nuts sometimes.You can also sprinkle with sugar after baking,or even powdered sugar.For the holidays make a batch of red velvet,use the cream cheese frosting and crush a little candy cane on top.You can even try adding a tiny amount of peppermint flavoring to the frosting.The possibilities are endless!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sherrie! I agree, the possibilities are endless! My current favorite variety is to use Spice Cake Mix and a cream cheese frosting (even the canned variety if I'm feeling particularly lazy, LOL). They are always fantastic and quickly devoured! I always stock up on cake mix now when it's on sale to keep on hand for these cookies.

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