Description
Bright, tangy Valentine Frosted Lemon Cookies bursting with fresh lemon zest and juice, topped with a sweet, creamy lemon frosting. These soft yet slightly crisp cookies are perfect for gifting or sharing on Valentine’s Day, combining simple pantry ingredients with a fresh twist for an irresistible treat full of love and sunshine.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Food coloring (optional – pink or red)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and ensure the butter is softened to room temperature. Zest and juice the lemons fresh for the brightest flavor. Set aside separate bowls for dry and wet ingredients.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and light. Add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice and mix until smooth. Gradually add the flour and baking powder, stirring just until combined without overmixing.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly for uniform cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges turn just golden.
- Cool the Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Ensure they are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Make the Frosting: Combine powdered sugar with lemon juice and a splash of milk or cream, mixing until smooth and spreadable. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar or liquid as needed. Add food coloring if desired.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread frosting evenly on each cookie using a small spatula or back of a spoon. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or lemon zest curls for extra charm.
Notes
- Use soft butter at room temperature for the creamiest dough.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are just golden to keep them tender inside.
- Zest lemons before juicing to maximize flavor and avoid extra moisture.
- If dough feels too soft to handle, chill for 20 minutes before shaping.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to avoid smudging.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Valentine's Day, Lemon Cookies, Frosted Cookies, Citrus Dessert, Gift Cookies, Soft Cookies, Lemon Frosting
