Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking to brighten up your cookie jar with a burst of sunshine and a pop of playful color, the Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe is your new best friend. These delightful cookies perfectly blend zesty lemon flavor with a soft, tender crumb and a creamy, tangy frosting that’s tinted a cheerful pink. Each bite brings the nostalgic freshness of pink lemonade to life in cookie form, making them irresistible treats for any occasion from picnics to afternoon tea. Trust me, once you try this recipe, these Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe will quickly become a scrumptious staple in your baking rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, relying on simple pantry staples and a few special touches to create that iconic pink lemonade vibe. Each ingredient plays a key role — from giving the cookies their buttery softness to layering in citrusy brightness and that lovely pink hue that makes these cookies so eye-catching.

• Butter (½ cup softened): Adds richness and tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the dough perfectly, balancing the tart lemon flavors.
• Egg (1): Binds ingredients together and helps the cookie rise just right.
• Lemon extract (1 tablespoon): Delivers the unmistakable zesty lemon punch that defines this recipe.
• Flour (1½ cups): The cookie’s foundation, providing structure and a soft crumb.
• Baking soda (¾ teaspoon): Gives a gentle lift to keep cookies light and fluffy.
• Pink food coloring: This is your secret to that irresistibly cheerful pink lemonade look.
• Unsalted butter (½ cup softened – for frosting): Creates a creamy, luscious base for the lemon frosting.
• Powdered sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the frosting and ensures a smooth, silky texture.
• Lemon juice (2 tablespoons): Adds fresh lemony tang that brightens the frosting flavor.
• Heavy cream (2 tablespoons): Makes the frosting perfectly creamy and pipeable.

How to Make Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure even baking for those picture-perfect cookies that won’t break when you lift them off.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, helping your cookies turn out delightfully soft and tender, not flat or dense.

Step 3: Add the Egg, Lemon Extract, and Pink Food Coloring

Next, mix in the egg, the star lemon extract, and your pink food coloring. This combo combines the moisture and flavor that makes these cookies pop. The pink coloring is what gives these cookies their iconic, Instagram-worthy appearance.

Step 4: Mix in Flour and Baking Soda

Gently fold in the flour and baking soda until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here — you want to keep the dough light and fluffy, so handle with care to achieve the perfect delicate texture.

Step 5: Form the Cookies

Scoop the dough into balls, then gently flatten each into a disc on your prepared baking sheets. This shape ensures even baking and that classic cookie bite texture, with slightly crisp edges and a tender center.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are set but the cookies are still soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting. This cooling step prevents the frosting from melting and keeps those swirl designs nice and neat.

Step 7: Make the Lemon Frosting

Beat softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream until your frosting is smooth and fluffy. The balance of creaminess and that bright lemon tang is what takes this frosting from good to unforgettable.

Step 8: Add Pink Food Coloring to Frosting

Mix in pink food coloring to match your cookies’ charming hue. This final touch visually ties the frosting and the cookie dough together for a cohesive, fun presentation.

Step 9: Frost the Cooled Cookies

Using a piping bag or a knife, swirl the lemon frosting generously on each cooled cookie. The swirl pattern isn’t just pretty; it ensures an even bite of frosting with every cookie.

How to Serve Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance your cookies with a sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest or tiny edible flowers. These little garnishes add a fresh, aromatic lift and make your presentation feel extra special for guests or that perfect selfie moment.

Side Dishes

This recipe shines best alongside light, refreshing beverages like iced tea or a crisp glass of sparkling water with lemon slices. Serve with fruit salad or a dish of fresh berries to complement the zesty sweetness of these cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange these cookies on a pastel-colored platter or tiered stand for an inviting tea party setup. You can also place them in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with yellow ribbon for adorable party favors or thoughtful gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to 3 days, making them perfect for prepping in advance for a weekend gathering.

Freezing

You can freeze both the cookies and the frosting separately. Freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed bag. The frosting freezes well in an airtight container. Thaw both before decorating and serving.

Reheating

For a warm cookie experience, microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds. This softens the cookie and slightly melts the frosting for an irresistible treat. Just don’t overheat or the frosting texture may change.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

Fresh lemon juice adds wonderful natural flavor but lacks the concentrated lemon aroma of extract. You can substitute, but expect a slightly different, more subtle lemon essence in your cookies.

Is it okay to skip the food coloring?

Absolutely! While the pink hue is iconic for this recipe, the cookies and frosting will still taste amazing without it. You’ll just get a more classic lemon cookie look.

How long do these cookies last?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies remain delightful for about 3 days. Beyond that, they may start to dry out or lose their freshness.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that’s suitable for baking, you can adapt this recipe. Just ensure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder for good texture.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

Use a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip for beautiful frosting swirls. If you don’t have one, you can use a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off to achieve a similar effect.

Final Thoughts

This Pink Lemonade Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe truly captures the joyful spirit of summer in cookie form, balancing zesty citrus with sweet, creamy frosting. I can’t recommend trying this recipe enough — it’s fun to make, beautiful to look at, and absolutely delicious to eat. Once you bake your first batch, these vibrant cookies will brighten any day and become a beloved favorite in your baking adventures.

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