Even though it was in the 90’s this last week, I fired up the oven to bake these babies. Had to. I was craving it, and I’ve had it bookmarked for so long.
I’ll admit the idea of a tangerine cookie was the first thing to hook me, but I bookmarked it because I was so curious to see how olive oil would bake up in a cookie. Olive oil in a cake is killer, and I use it often, but olive oil in cookies is new to me.
Let me just say, you need to make this! It’s killer—soft, tender, flavorful. For those of you who are curious about the taste–it’s rich in citrus flavor, without a hint of olive oil. It’s one of my new favorite new cookies, and one that I’ll be working into my holiday baking rotation. Yes, that’s right, it’s only August and I’m already thinking holiday baking and cookies—can’t wait!
This recipe makes a huge batch, so I did two different stamps on top and added a third variation of with a glazed topped and then sprinkled some citrus zest and lavender on top.
Hit the jump here to Better Homes and Gardens’ blog Delish Dish and to see what adaptations I made.

Tangerine Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons finely shredded tangerine peel or orange peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Glaze
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2-3 tablespoon water
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 tablespoon tangerine zest
- 2 tablespoon lavender
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
Click here for the remainder of the cookie recipe. **I swapped out the cornmeal for almond flour, since I didn't have any cornmeal on hand.**
For the glaze: Whisk together sugar, 2 tablespoons water and extract. Add more water if needed. Dip cookies into glaze and sprinkle zest and lavender on top
curious to know what a tangerine cookie tastes like! these look delicious…
Oooh amazing! I’ve never used olive oil in cookies before either, but these look lovely! I love all the cute patterns on top!
These look awesome and I’ve never seen tangerines in dessert before, yum!
I love the stamps! I have never though of doing this to simple butter cookies but I am so pinning this for the future.
The flavor combo is simply amazing too.
These are so fun!! I love the patterns and the olive oil sound incredible!
Yum! Two of my favorite things! Tangerine and butter cookies : )
These are so beautiful! I love the patterns and the glaze. I haven’t used olive oil in cookies before (like you, love it in cakes), so looking forward to trying these out!
I love the citrus in these and the stamped tops – so pretty!
These cookies are beautiful!,
Oh wow, these looks so mouthwateringly good! I also can’t believe you’re already thinking ahead to holiday baking! Ha!
I agree I’ve never tasted one either and these pics are making me drool!
I love the different stamps you used. I have some lavender sugar that would be great on top of this.
Wow, these are seriously gorgeous! You are so talented Naomi!! xo
These are so gorgeous!!
these are just SO pretty Naomi! Those belong in everyones holiday rotation!
Lovely cookies!
I know I’ve said this on a million of your posts, but I think these photos are my new all time favorite. The colors and the light airy quality of the light. Just amazing. The delicate toppings and the designs in the cookies. LOVE IT ALL.
Simply beautiful! Love all of the different designs on these cookies! Pinned!
These have to be some of the prettiest cookies I’ve ever seen, and I love the sound of the tangerine and olive oil! Pinning to try — these will be amazing for the holidays!
So pretty! I want these right NOW!!
WOW-these look absolutely gorgeous! I can see why you’d fire up your oven even in the heat to make these…I definitely wouldn’t mind a whole batch of these right about now 🙂
These cookies look absolutely delicious! I love the whole idea of a tangerine butter cookie…they look so inviting and full of flavor…thanks for sharing!
you make the most beautiful desserts & photos. I’m obsessed!
SO freakin’ gorgeous!! I am amazed at the olive oil bit…love it in cake and now I’ll have to try it in zee cookies!
I’ve always wanted to do more baking with olive oil – I will have to try it with these first!!
Love these photos. So bright and airy… and the composition of the overhead shots are so interesting. Stunning!
First off, these are stunning photos. Very lovely. Secondly, I love the idea of adding tangerine flavor. Pinning this for sure!
I’ve have never used olive oil in cookies or cakes. I reserve that for cooking, but now you have piqued my interest and I want to try this out!
Gorgeous cookies! Citrus always lends awesome flavor to cookies but now you have me curious what the olive oil will do.
Naomi these look wonderful, whimsical and delicious! The olive oil, tangerine and almond flour sound like interesting baking companions all in one lovely cookie. Can’t wait to try these out, thanks!
I have never heard of tangerine cookies before, but these look amazing. Your photography and styling skills are enviable!
These look so blissful and elegant, and your food photography captures this perfectly. I love baking with olive oil as well, and often replace vegetable oil with this as a healthier alternative.
The composition of the photos is beautiful!!!! And I can almost imagine how wonderful this tastes~citrus flavored desserts are my favorite and instead of making this right now, I wish you could share??? Too impatient, haha. I’ll bookmark this one for sure, Naomi!
These cookies sound amazing! I’ve featured the recipe on my blog today as one of my Friday Favorites. You’ve come up with such a unique idea to share!
These cookies are gorgeous! I have made orange flavored cookies for the holidays before, but never thought to use tangerine. Great idea!
These are darling! Definitely saving for Christmas gifts. Where did you find the stamps?
These are simply and beautiful! I love the idea of adding tangerine to a butter cookie.
Hi I would love to make these cookies but was just wondering if I could substitute the 1/2 cup of almond flour with all purpose flour?
These look lovely! Thinking lemon would work just as well??
Made these last night. LOVE the use of the olive oil. I think the swap of almond flour for the corn meal was a great move and thanks for the suggestion of the glaze. I could not taste the citrus flavor in the cookie as much as I would like so the glaze helps. Next time I would add more zest and tangerine extract. But very nice cookie. Yours of course look better than mine.
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!