In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of flour until fully combined and light in texture. Ensure there are no lumps, as a well-blended mixture sets the foundation for your Crispy Orange Lace Cookies. This step takes about 2 minutes.

Melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in the microwave. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it becomes fully liquefied, which should take about 1 to 1.5 minutes total.

Add 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice and the zest of one orange to the dry ingredients. Gently stir this mixture until it becomes smooth and well-combined, which should take about 1–2 minutes.

Pour the melted butter into the batter, mixing it thoroughly until everything is fully incorporated and the batter reaches a homogenous consistency. This process takes another 1–2 minutes.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating should take about 10 minutes.

Once chilled, fill a pastry bag with the batter. Carefully pipe nickel-sized rounds onto Silpat-lined baking sheets, spacing them at least 3 inches apart.

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies turn a lovely golden orange hue.

After removing the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet for 1–2 minutes.

Once completely cooled, store your Crispy Orange Lace Cookies in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to one week.