Description
These Pink Lemonade Cookies are a delightful treat combining the tangy brightness of lemon with a soft, buttery cookie base and a luscious pink lemonade-flavored frosting. Perfect for parties or a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies with a vibrant pink hue and zesty lemon flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- Pink food coloring, as needed
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pink food coloring, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Make Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together 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 for 2-3 minutes, adding more pink food coloring as needed to achieve a deep pink color.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and baking soda to the wet mixture and mix just until combined to form the cookie dough.
- Shape Cookies: Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, portion out dough balls. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten with palms into discs approximately half an inch thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are no longer glossy. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet or wire rack before decorating.
- Make Frosting: In the stand mixer bowl, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- Beat Frosting: Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and well combined. Stop occasionally to scrape down the bowl sides and remix to ensure uniform texture.
- Add Color to Frosting: Add pink food coloring gradually until the desired shade of pink is achieved, mixing well after each addition.
- Prepare for Decorating: Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip for easy dispensing.
- Decorate Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, pipe a round swirl of frosting on top of each cookie, starting from the center and working outward in a spiral motion. Repeat with all cookies.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter is softened but not melted for both dough and frosting.
- Adjust food coloring gradually to avoid overly strong artificial color.
- Allow cookies to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- These cookies freeze well – freeze unfrosted cookies and thaw before decorating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pink lemonade cookies, lemon cookies, lemon dessert, frosting cookies, pink cookies, party cookies, lemon extract, sweet treats
