Orange creamsicles are a beloved summertime treat, but those vanilla and orange flavors don’t have to stay in the freezer. Orange creamsicle cookies transform the classic citrus-ice cream combination into a delightful treat that won’t melt in your hands.

These pudding cookies are almost like chocolate chip cookies, except they have plenty of orange zest and white chocolate chips incorporated into the dough. They’re moist, chewy and flavorful—truly the ideal nostalgic sweet. Make a batch (or several!) for a bake sale or put out a platter for your next backyard barbecue dessert table.

Ingredients for Orange Creamsicle Cookies

• Butter: Unsalted butter works best for this cookie dough. Be sure to soften the butter to room temperature before mixing for the best texture.
• Sugars: Both granulated sugar and brown sugar add sweetness, while the brown sugar also introduces a depth of flavor to the cookie dough.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients in the dough and help the cookies rise while baking. It’s best to use room-temperature eggs for baking.
• Orange zest: Use fresh zest from one orange to add vibrant flavor to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla extract: Using a good vanilla extract vs. imitation vanilla is better for the overall flavor of most baked goods.
• Orange extract: Orange extract works with the orange zest for a bigger citrus punch.
• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides structure for these creamsicle orange cookies.
• Instant vanilla pudding: A package of pudding mix contributes to the cookies’ taste and texture. It provides rich moisture while incorporating plenty of vanilla for an ice cream-forward flavor.
• Baking soda: A small amount of baking soda goes a long way in creating excellent texture and shape for these cookies.
• White chocolate chips: White chocolate chips paired with orange zest create the ideal orange creamsicle combination.

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