Description
Delightfully soft and chewy Pink Lemonade Cookies enhanced with tangy lemon extract and vibrant pink food coloring, perfectly topped with a luscious lemon-flavored buttercream frosting. These cookies are a bright, refreshing treat ideal for springtime gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet citrus twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- 1½ 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 fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pink food coloring, to desired shade
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line one or more baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Color: Add the egg, lemon extract, and pink food coloring to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well for 2-3 minutes, adding more food coloring as needed to achieve a deep pink hue.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and baking soda into the wet mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which could make the cookies dense.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll into balls. Flatten each ball into a disc about half an inch thick with your palms. Place the discs spaced about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers lose their glossy appearance. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Start mixing on low speed to combine the ingredients.
- Whip the Frosting: Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting becomes smooth, fluffy, and cohesive, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides.
- Add Color to Frosting: Add pink food coloring to the frosting gradually until you reach your preferred shade.
- Frost the Cookies: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Once the cookies are fully cooled, pipe a generous swirl of frosting on each cookie, beginning at the center and moving in a spiral outward.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the frosting to enhance the lemon flavor.
- Adjust the amount of pink food coloring according to desired vibrancy.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing unfrosted cookies is possible; allow to thaw before frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pink lemonade cookies, lemon cookies, lemon frosting, pink sugar cookies, soft cookies, lemon dessert
