Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Fresh Produce
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Zest the lemons and juice them, then finely chop the fresh strawberries into small pieces to ensure even distribution and juicy bursts in each cookie.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt for even rising and balanced flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer or whisk, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, Lemon Zest, and Juice: Combine the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice with the creamed butter and sugars to brighten and flavor the dough.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients and Strawberries: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, then gently fold in the chopped strawberries, taking care not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it up and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Optional Dusting: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best citrus brightness.
- Do not overmix to maintain soft, tender cookies.
- Chop strawberries finely to distribute flavor evenly and avoid soggy dough.
- Chill dough to control spreading and enhance flavor.
- Adjust baking time: less for softer cookies, more for crispier edges.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking mix.
- For vegan adaptation, use coconut oil instead of butter and a flaxseed egg instead of a chicken egg.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: strawberry cookies, lemonade cookies, lemon strawberry dessert, chewy cookies, summer cookies