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orange and brown butter sugar cookies

Orange and Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

These deceptively simple sugar cookies are enriched with toasted, nutty brown butter and a healthy dose of orange zest. You can use two vanilla beans and omit the extract, or 1 tablespoon of extract and omit the beans.
Servings 16
Author Turnip the Oven

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar plus more for dusting
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. It will foam and then begin to darken. Watch carefully and stir frequently until it is deep golden-brown and smells toasted and nutty. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, and cooled brown butter and beat to combine (you can also do this in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer). Beat in the oil, egg, and vanilla seeds and extract. Gradually add the flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, and orange zest and beat just until combined. Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour about 1/2 cup granulated sugar into a small bowl. Scoop the chilled dough into 16 balls and roll them in the sugar. Place them on the baking sheets and press down slightly to about 1-inch thickness.
  4. Bake the cookies until they are puffed and slightly cracked and just beginning to brown around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. As you remove the baking sheets from the oven, give them a sharp tap on the counter to deflate the cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.