Orange Spice Snowdrops

Making a batch of these spiced Orange Snowdrops will brighten up your day! These soft and tender, pillowy treats are flavored with a hint of orange zest and festive spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, making them perfect for any celebration or a holiday cookie swaps.

If you’re looking for more festive cookies, check out my Chocolate Comfort Cookies and Pam’s Pumpkin Cookies.

These snowdrop cookies are similar to my Gooey Butter Cookies, but with a wintry, holiday spice update. Soft and delicate with just a hint of orange flavor. These are simple to make, but you will get rave reviews wherever you share these!

I love how the cream cheese adds a tangy richness, and the spice cake mix makes them extra soft without a lot of fuss. They’re a delightful twist on a classic spice cookie—one that’s sure to become a favorite in your home.

homemade orange snowdrop cookies on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright Citrus Flavor: The orange zest and marmalade adds a refreshing twist these.
Super Soft Texture: Cream cheese and softened butter make these cookies wonderfully tender. They melt in your mouth.
Easy to Make: Using cake mix cuts down on prep time – but without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients Needed

Butter (softened): Helps create a rich and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Vanilla: Always! This adds warm, sweet notes.
Egg: Binds the dough together. Use free-range if possible.
Cream Cheese (softened): Ensures a tangy flavor and a soft cookie crumb.
Grated orange zest: Infuses bright citrus flavor.
Orange marmalade: Adds a subtle orange flavor.
Spice cake mix: Makes this recipe SO easy and adds a nice holiday flavor.
Powdered sugar: Used for the coating.
Cinnamon & nutmeg: Warm holiday spices that complement the orange perfectly.

How to Make Orange Snowdrops

These cookies come together in a snap. For the full printable recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

snowdrop cookies being tossed in a bowl with icing sugar.

shaped orange snowdrops on a baking tray ready to bake

Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Beat butter, vanilla, egg, orange zest, marmalade and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in dry cake mix. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Stir together powdered sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl.
Divide snowdrop cookie dough into 2 tbsp balls and coat liberally with cinnamon-powdered sugar. Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 minutes or until edges start to brown.
Cool your orange snowdrops on sheets for 5 minutes; move to cooling racks to cool completely.

Helpful Tips

Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to avoid lumps in the batter.
Chilling Is Key: Chilling the dough ensures it’s easier to handle and prevents too much spreading.
Coat Generously: Don’t skimp on the powdered sugar coating—it creates that sweet, crackly exterior.

Storage Information

Refrigerator: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking or serving.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough the day before and bake fresh cookies whenever you’re ready.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a little mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Add them to your holiday cookie platter with other holiday favorites like Butter Pecan Fudge.
Drizzle some melted white chocolate on top to make them extra pretty.

Variations

Add chocolate: Stir in mini chocolate chips for an orange-chocolate flavor combo.
Add crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch.
Cinnamon Sugar Dust: Instead of powdered sugar, roll them in a cinnamon-sugar mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix?

Why not! A white or yellow cake mix will work, but you’ll lose a bit of that spice flavor so if you do that add a bit more cinnamon and nutmeg.

Do I have to chill the dough?

You should. Chilling keeps these orange snowdrops from spreading too much in the oven and makes the dough easier to work with.

Is there a substitute for orange marmalade?

You could a bit more zest and sugar, but marmalade adds lovely texture and sweet flavor.

orange snowdrop cookies on a white plate with one cookie being broken into half.

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