There’s a culinary secret tucked away in a charming shop just outside of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, a place that has captivated my taste buds and consistently draws me back for more. This delightful establishment is called RubySnap, and it boasts a fervent following, myself included. For years, my family and I have upheld a cherished autumn tradition: a trip to Park City every October. We go to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the leaves changing colors and, of course, to attend a thrilling football game. But no visit to this beautiful region is complete without a pilgrimage to RubySnap to satisfy our profound cookie cravings.
On our most recent adventure to Salt Lake City, I brought along all my brothers. As passionate foodies, we share an insatiable love for exceptional culinary experiences. Our visit to RubySnap was nothing short of an epic tasting expedition. We meticulously sampled nearly every single flavor on offer, each bite a revelation, before eventually heading home with two overflowing boxes of these exquisite treats. My Dad, observing our enthusiastic indulgence, playfully shook his head at our antics. My response was simple yet heartfelt: “You raised us to appreciate good food!” After what was arguably too many cookies, we cast our votes for our absolute favorites. Ever since that memorable trip, I’ve been tirelessly experimenting in my kitchen, driven by a mission to replicate their legendary creations. This particular copycat recipe, a tribute to their famous Judy Orange Cream Cookies, required considerable trial and error, but I am thrilled to announce that we have finally, truly nailed it!
Introducing the Ultimate RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies Copycat Recipe
It is with immense excitement that I present the RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies as the very first copycat recipe I’m sharing on Modern Honey. This recipe is a labor of love, designed to bring the magic of RubySnap right into your home kitchen. Get ready to embark on a delightful baking journey that promises to deliver cookies indistinguishable from the original. And make sure to stay tuned, as this is just the beginning of many more cherished cookie copycat recipes to come!
Crafting the Perfect Orange Cream Cookie: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures
The journey to creating this sensational RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookie copycat begins with a meticulously crafted citrus orange dough. The secret to its vibrant flavor and tender texture lies in the use of fresh orange zest, which infuses every bite with a bright, aromatic burst of citrus. A crucial, often overlooked, ingredient in achieving the signature softness and subtle tang of these cookies is a touch of sour cream. It adds moisture and richness, ensuring the cookies remain incredibly tender. Furthermore, the strategic inclusion of cornstarch and baking powder works wonders, creating a soft, pillowy cookie that retains its exquisite texture for days. This combination ensures a bake that’s both light and satisfyingly chewy, never dry or crumbly.
But what truly elevates this Orange Cream cookie to legendary status is its opulent topping: a sweet orange cream cheese frosting. This dreamy frosting is a harmonious blend of softened butter, tangy cream cheese, delicate powdered sugar, and an extra kiss of fresh orange zest. The result is a cloud-like topping that perfectly balances the sweetness with a refreshing citrus zing. Each bite of this cookie is an experience reminiscent of savoring a classic creamsicle – a nostalgic, delightful treat transformed into cookie form. The interplay between the soft, fragrant cookie and the luscious, citrus-infused frosting creates an unforgettable dessert that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
The Essential Tool: Why a Quality Zester is a Baker’s Best Friend
It might come as a surprise, given my passion for baking, but I’m not one to accumulate a myriad of specialized kitchen gadgets. You won’t find a pineapple corer, an apple peeler, or a collection of other niche kitchen helpers cluttering my drawers. However, there is one tool I simply cannot live without, one that I enthusiastically use all the time: my trusty zester. Before I discovered the magic of a dedicated zester, I relied on a standard grater. While functional, a grater often removes not only the aromatic zest but also some of the bitter white pith from citrus fruits. This seemingly small detail can drastically alter the flavor profile of your dishes, introducing an unwelcome bitterness that detracts from the bright, fresh notes you’re aiming for. A quality zester, on the other hand, allows you to delicately remove only the outermost layer of the peel, extracting all the potent essential oils and vibrant flavor without any of the bitterness. This precision is absolutely critical when working with citrus-forward recipes like these RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies, where the pure essence of orange is paramount. The difference it makes in the intensity and clarity of the orange flavor is truly remarkable and undeniable. Invest in a good one; it’s a game-changer for any baker or cook who loves fresh citrus.
RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies
Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey
15
12
27
24
Equipment
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KitchenAid Mixer
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Baking Sheet
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Parchment Paper Baking Sheets
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Measuring Cups and Spoons
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Turner
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Spatula Set
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Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
For the Orange Cream Cookies:
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Orange Zest
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
For the Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Orange Zest
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and consistent baking.
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In a large mixing bowl, preferably using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes, allowing air to incorporate for a tender cookie.
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Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, incorporate the sour cream and fresh orange zest, continuing to cream the mixture until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
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Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and deepens the flavors.
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Once chilled, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough into uniform balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading.
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Bake for 11-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft. Do not overbake for the chewiest results. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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While the cookies are cooling, prepare the sweet orange cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
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Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and the frosting is light and creamy. Stir in the fresh orange zest.
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Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the orange cream cheese frosting generously over each cookie. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra orange zest for a beautiful finish and an added burst of citrus aroma.
Video
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Dessert
American
24
orange cookies, creamsicle cookies, RubySnap copycat
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Tips for Baking the Best Orange Cream Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating an emulsified mixture that holds air well, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cookie and frosting.
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling the cookie dough is vital. It solidifies the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also allows the flavors to meld, especially the orange zest, intensifying the taste.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate results, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and a dry, tough cookie.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your cookies tough and chewy rather than soft and tender.
- Fresh Orange Zest is Non-Negotiable: The vibrancy of these cookies comes from fresh orange zest. Bottled zest or extracts won’t deliver the same bright, aromatic punch. Use a good quality zester to get only the colorful outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Bake Until Just Set: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake. They should be lightly golden at the edges, but the centers should still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking is the quickest way to dry out a soft cookie.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to frosting. Ensure your cookies are entirely cool before applying the cream cheese frosting. A warm cookie will melt the frosting, leading to a messy, unappetizing result.
- Experiment with Garnish: While orange zest is a classic and beautiful garnish, consider adding a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios for a complementary color and crunch, or even a tiny candied orange peel for an elegant touch.
Why This RubySnap Copycat Will Become Your Go-To Orange Cookie Recipe
The quest to replicate a beloved bakery item is often a challenging one, fraught with culinary experiments and occasional disappointments. But with this RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies copycat recipe, that journey culminates in absolute triumph. What sets this recipe apart and makes it truly special is its meticulous attention to detail, mirroring the distinctive qualities that make RubySnap’s originals so irresistible. We’ve managed to capture that perfect balance of a tender, almost cake-like cookie with a soft chew, infused with the bright, natural essence of fresh orange. The subtle tang of sour cream in the dough and the specific proportions of leavening agents ensure a texture that remains consistently soft and moist, much like the bakery’s own.
Then there’s the frosting – a rich, creamy, and gloriously citrus-forward cream cheese topping that doesn’t just complement the cookie, but truly elevates it. It’s not overly sweet, allowing the zesty orange notes to shine through, creating a harmonious flavor profile that mimics the “creamsicle” experience perfectly. Every ingredient has been carefully considered, from the quality of the butter to the precise amount of orange zest, guaranteeing an authentic and deeply satisfying result. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an homage, a successful endeavor to bring a cherished Salt Lake City treat into kitchens everywhere. Prepare for this to become a new family favorite, a recipe you’ll return to time and time again, impressing everyone with its homemade charm and bakery-quality taste.
Happy Baking, my friends! May these delicious RubySnap Judy Orange Cream Cookies bring a burst of sunshine and joy to your kitchen and your taste buds.