Description
Zesty “lemon cranberry cookies” bring Mediterranean sunshine to classic holiday baking, combining tangy citrus with sweet-tart cranberry notes. Sweet comfort meets bright flavor complexity, letting you savor each delightful, crumbly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227g, 8 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups (150g, 5.3 ounces) fresh cranberries, diced
- ¾ cup (150g, 5.3 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups (290g, 10.2 ounces) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60g, 2.1 ounces) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Craft the base mixture by vigorously combining granulated sugar with fresh lemon zest, massaging the zest into sugar until it releases an aromatic fragrance.
- Incorporate softened butter into the lemon-infused sugar, whipping with an electric mixer until the texture becomes ethereal and cloud-like.
- Introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to create a cohesive liquid mixture.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients, mixing on minimal speed to prevent overworking the dough.
- Delicately integrate diced cranberries throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Wrap the dough and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour to firm up and enhance flavor development.
- Preheat the oven to 350F, positioning racks to ensure optimal heat circulation.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for cookie formation.
- Shape the chilled dough into uniform spherical portions, spacing them generously to allow expansion during baking.
- Bake until cookie edges transform into a delicate golden hue, approximately 13-15 minutes.
- Allow cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Prepare a vibrant lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until silky smooth.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, elegantly drizzle the citrusy glaze across their surface.
- Permit the glaze to set and crystallize before serving these zesty, tangy treats.
Notes
- Enhance zest infusion by gently massaging lemon zest into sugar, releasing essential oils for a more intense citrusy flavor.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and create a firmer, more structured cookie with crisp edges.
- Fold cranberries gently to avoid crushing, maintaining distinct bursts of tart fruit throughout the cookie.
- Customize by substituting dried cranberries with other chopped dried fruits like cherries or blueberries for varied taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg