Description
These Strawberry Lemonade Cookies are a delightful blend of tangy lemon and sweet fresh strawberries baked into soft, chewy cookies. Perfect for spring and summer, they offer a refreshing twist on classic cookies with a burst of fruity flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to combine and aerate the mixture.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the butter and sugar mixture until everything is well combined, adding moisture and bright lemon flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold the chopped fresh strawberries into the dough, distributing them evenly without crushing.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to give them space to spread as they bake.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture in the cookies.
- Softened butter at room temperature creams better with sugar, creating a tender cookie.
- If strawberries release too much juice, drain them slightly to prevent soggy dough.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon extract or additional zest if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Strawberry Lemonade Cookies, lemon cookies, strawberry cookies, summer cookies, baked cookies, fruit cookies, dessert
