These bright and cheerful cookies combine the tartness of lemon with the sweetness of cherries, creating a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients:
- For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
- For the Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to make it easier to handle.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Optional Glaze (if desired):
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add more lemon juice or powdered sugar to achieve your desired consistency.
- Glaze the Cookies (if desired):
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or spread the lemon glaze over the top.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
- Enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container.