These orange cream cookies are the best as they melt away on your tongue. They are buttery with a slight hint of orange flavor. Sandwich on the inside is a smooth cream cheese filling that also has a zest of orange. Learn how to make these cookies from scratch with inexpensive ingredients.
What is Star Cookie?
These cookies lie in the category of piped cookies meaning that the mixture is soft enough to squeeze through a plastic bag with a star tip at the end. The dough can be flavored with other ingredients and is not limited to orange or even orange cream filling.
Facts about Star cookies
Start cookies are easy to make because, like some other cookies that require you to knead the dough and chill it, these are not the same. It is a mixture of all the ingredients that go into a piping bag then squeezed onto a prepared baking tray. These cookies require a large amount of butter that gives it a melt-away feel in the mouth.
Origin
These cookies are also known as Spritz cookies because the mixture is soft enough to pass through a bag or cookie press. They originated in Germany, France, where they are said to be traditional Christmas cookies.
When can these cookies be eaten?
These cookies can be eaten as a breakfast dessert. They are great for serving at various events as dessert treats.
What pairs well with these cookies?
These cream cookies are served best with a hot cup of chocolate. They pair well with any flavor of icecreams.
How do the main ingredients work?
Butter – This helps with giving the cookies a soft crummy texture. It aids in enhancing the flavor of the cookies too.
Egg yolk – gives the dough a smooth texture. It allows the cookie to have a chewy feel and offers a rich flavor to the cookie.
Orange zest – Adds a nice flavor to the dough.
How is it done?
For making the cookies, Cream cheese, Room temperature butter, white sugar, orange zest, egg yolk, salt, vanilla, and all-purpose flour were mixed in an electric mixer until all ingredients were mixed. The mixture should be soft for it to hold in a piping bag and has a piping consistency. A circular template was drawn on the parchment paper for guiding purposes 1 1/2 inches big and 1 inch apart. The mixture was piped on the surface then baked for 12 minutes until the edges were golden brown. For the orange filling, combined butter, icing sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and a Tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice. When the cookies are baked and completely cooled, pipe the cream on the bottom half of the cookies and make sandwiches with them.
Why should you make these cookies?
These cookies are comfort food and are great for gift boxes and holiday celebrations like Christmas when the family is around. It is a great fun project for the kids over the holiday. The recipe is easy to follow. The ingredients are also inexpensive.
Key term/words
Spritz cookie is the name given to cookies where the mixture is soft and can squeeze through a press or bag.
Zest Is the flavor you get from the orange peel. It is mostly grated and added to various cakes, creams, etc.
Question and Answer
Question? How do I get the best consistency to pipe these cookies?
Answer: For best results, the butter, and eggs should be at room temperature. The butter shouldn’t be melted but close to not being able to hold its shape. Do not chill the dough. As soon as it has incorporated all the ingredients, transfer it to the piping bag.
Question? Would frozen blueberries suffice for this recipe?
Answer: Frozen fruits can be tricky as they tend to spring too much water. You could set them to drain and incorporate it with your jam on low heat for even mixing But recommend using fresh berries for better results.
Orange cream cookies are amazing why not give them a try? It will be worth the penny to buy the ingredients and share them with someone. Add this recipe to your bucket list of things to try. Let us know how much you enjoyed them.
Orange Cream Star Cookies
Buttery star cookies melt in the mouth with a slight hint of orange flavor to delight the tastebuds.
Ingredients
- For Cookies
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 6 tbsp cream cheese (3oz)
- 1/2 lb unsalted butter
- 1tsp pure vanilla
- zest from 1 orange
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 egg yolk
- Orange filling
- 1 2/3 cups icing sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp juice from an orange
- zest from the same orange
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, orange zest, butter, egg yolk, salt, and vanilla.
- At about 5 mins into mixing, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour in 3 parts.
- Prepare 2 baking trays with parchment paper and using a round cookie cutter, draw out 1 1/2 inches wide circles having each circle 1 inch apart. You will need this template as a guide to pipe your cookies especially if ifs your first time making them. When you have made the circles on one side, turn the parchment paper with the drawing facing the baking sheet. Repeat for the send baking tray and set aside with your piping bag having the star tip inserted in the bag with the end cut.
- Scoop some of the cookie dough into the piping bag. The consistency of the dough should be soft enough to pipe through the bag.
- Using the template as your guide, squeeze 1 1/2 inches stars. Following the guide will ensure consistency with the cookies so you can sandwich them. They will be the same size.
- For best results hold the piping bag straight up and down with the tip hanging slightly over the baking tray. Start squeezing the bag until the cookie has filled up the template circle. stop squeezing and twist the tip up and away.
- Bake the cookies for about 11 to 12 mins until the edges are golden brown.
- Transfer to wire rack and cool before adding the filling.
To make the filling- Combine all the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
- Scoop the mixture into the second piping bag and make a small cut at the tip.
- Pipe the filling on the bottom half of one sheet of the cookies and use the other tray to sandwich the ones that have the filling.
- Place them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready for them.
Notes
You will need 2 piping bags and an open star tip for piping. Ateco #826
The cream cheese, butter, and egg yolk should be at room temperature before starting.
