Delightfully soft and bursting with the flavors of strawberry and lemon, these frosted cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened. 1 cup granulated sugar. 1 large egg. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Zest of 1 lemon. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. 3 cups all-purpose flour. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. 1/2 teaspoon salt. 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder. 1/2 cup buttermilk. Pink food coloring optional. For the frosting:. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened. 2 cups powdered sugar. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. 1 tablespoon milk. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pinch of salt. Fresh strawberries, sliced for garnish. Lemon zest for garnish.
Instructions: In a bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, until a soft dough forms. If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring to the dough and mix until evenly colored. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350F 175C and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each dough ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just set. The cookies will remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the frosting, cream the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost the tops with the lemon frosting. Garnish each cookie with a slice of fresh strawberry and a sprinkle of lemon zest. Allow the frosting to set before serving and enjoying!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
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