Coconut Orange Cardamom Snickerdoodles

5 from 2 votes
(Click the stars to vote)

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Orange Cardamom Cookies take the classic crisp Snickerdoodle cookie recipe and adds a citrusy twist. The buttery orange cookie recipe along with its coating of coconut, cardamom, and cinnamon will have festive aromas filling your kitchen. They will be a perfect addition to your Christmas cookie platter this holiday season.

Orange Cardamom Cookies Recipe image with title

I spent years avoiding cardamom. Everyone once in a while I’d see a recipe and it would only have a teensy amount. So I figured I’d just leave it out versus trying to justify spending $15 on a tiny bottle that I would rarely use.

As I learned more about cardamom and the fact that it can both add a little exotic flair and enhance the flavor of cinnamon and other spices, I knew I had to try it.

My first stop was cookies!

If you love the classic Snickerdoodle, then you will love this slightly exotic twist on the original. I already had made Coconut Snickerdoodles, so after consulting my handy dandy Flavor Bible, I knew that adding cardamom plus a hint of citrus to these buttery cookies would be absolute perfection.

I was right!

Stack of Cardamom Orange Cookies on a white rectangular plate

I like my Snickerdoodles crisp, and while these retained their perfect crispiness, they were, dare I say, juicy. And the smell in my kitchen, while they were baking, was just so enticing and festive!

The addition of coconut oil and the slightly juicy orange zest makes this dough was a little softer than my original Snickerdoodle cookie dough. So I do recommend chilling it in the fridge and only flattening down the dough balls other the slightest bit, since they will spread on their own. And even using 1/4 cup coconut flour in place of 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour will add another hint of coconut flavor and make the dough a bit more stiff.

How to make orange cardamom cookies?

Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!

Stir together the dry ingredients

  • All-purpose 
  • Cream of tartar
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Cream the following ingredients

  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Coconut oil or shortening

Beat in the following ingredients

  • Eggs
  • Zest of one orange

Finish the dough

Slowly beat in the dry ingredients. Chill the dough.

Make the coating

  • Sweetened coconut flakes – pulsed in a blender to a powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Cardamom

Bake the cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the coating. Press down slightly on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.

Orange Cardamom Cookies on a plate for Christmas

Do I have to use the coconut?

No, you can replace the coconut with 3 Tablespoons of granulated sugar.

What can I substitute for cardamom?

While the cardamom does add a deeper flavor and a bit more holiday spice, you can certainly use all cinnamon.

Can you freeze these cookies?

Yes, these are freezer-friendly cookies so you can make them well before the holidays.

Cool the cookies completely so they don’t get soggy, and place them in a plastic freezer storage bag. Remove all the air, seal the bag, and place it in a tin or plastic storage container to keep them from getting broken. Then place in the freezer for up to two months.

Orange Snickerdoodles on a white rectangular platter

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Orange Snickerdoodles on a white rectangular platter
5 from 2 votes

Orange Cardamom Cookies

Crisp and citrusy with a hint of warm spice, this tasty twist on the classic Snickerdoodle cookie recipe is perfect for the holidays!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Chilling time 30 minutes
Servings: 60 cookies

Ingredients

  • cups all-purpose (optional – substitute ¼ cup all-purpose flour with coconut flour)
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • cups sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup coconut oil or shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • zest of one orange (about 1 Tablespoon)
  • 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Sift together into a medium bowl the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set bowl aside.
  • In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the butter, coconut oil, and sugar.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, and then the orange zest, and mix thoroughly.
  • Add the flour mixture, and mix until a dough forms.
  • Place dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
  • Using a food processor, process the coconut until it is almost a moist powder. Mix in a small bowl with cinnamon and cardamom.
  • Shape dough into approximately 1 inch balls, roll in the coconut and spice mixture, and place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
  • Pat each dough ball down very slightly.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until set.
  • Cool for a couple of minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Orange Cardamom Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 79 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 34mg1%
Potassium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 55IU1%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Enjoy!

23 Comments
  1. Totally making these if I can find Cardamom-yesterday my Chinese colleagues told me it was medicinal, so I’ll have to figure out where one finds a Chinese herbal medicine shop

  2. coco-doodles! What a great name! Love these cookies. I bet the addition of the orange and cardamom really added a wonderful flavor profile to these coconuty little cookies. I adore classic snickerdoodles so now I really want to give these a try. Glad you finally got to work with some cardamom!

  3. Check out a giant Target, the kind with a grocery. They sell cardamom under their Archer Farms label for under $5. I didn’t realize it was expensive in other places. Sorry for the inconvenience. I try not to pick terribly weird ingredients.

    Love the orange coconut snickerdoodle variation. It sounds wonderful.

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