Description
These Pink Lemonade Cookies feature soft, tender lemon-flavored cookies with a vibrant pink hue, topped with a creamy, tangy pink lemonade frosting. Perfect for spring or summer gatherings, they combine a refreshing citrus flavor with a sweet, colorful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- Pink food coloring, to desired shade
Pink Lemonade 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: 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 mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, lemon extract, and pink food coloring to the creamed mixture. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dough turns a vibrant pink color.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the cookies tough.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop the dough portion-wise, roll each into balls, then flatten gently into disc shapes on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-12 minutes until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream together until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Add Color: Mix in pink food coloring to the frosting until you achieve the desired shade.
- Decorate: Pipe the pink lemonade frosting onto the cooled cookies in a swirl pattern for an appealing finish.
Notes
- You can adjust the pink food coloring amount to achieve your preferred shade.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a bit of lemon zest to the dough or frosting.
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
