Description
These Pink Lemonade Cookies are a delightful treat combining a soft, lemon-flavored sugar cookie base with a creamy, tangy pink lemonade frosting. Perfect for summer parties or any occasion that calls for a refreshing and colorful cookie, these cookies offer a balance of sweet and citrusy flavors with a charming pink twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- Pink food coloring, to desired shade
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pink food coloring, to desired shade
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg, Lemon Extract, and Coloring: Beat in the egg, lemon extract, and pink food coloring until all ingredients are fully combined and the dough has a uniform pink color.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop the dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, roll each portion into a ball, then flatten slightly into discs and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are set and just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Add Pink Food Coloring: Mix in pink food coloring to the frosting until the desired shade of pink is achieved.
- Frost Cookies: Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies in a swirl pattern or your preferred design, then allow the frosting to set at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened for both the dough and frosting to achieve smooth mixing and creamy texture.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough or frosting.
- If you don’t have lemon extract, substitute with fresh lemon juice, but reduce the liquid in the dough slightly to compensate.
- The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To intensify the pink color, add a few drops of concentrated gel food coloring rather than liquid.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup.
