Description
Delightful lemon cranberry cookies showcase zesty citrus and tart berry flavors in a classic holiday treat. Crisp edges and delicate crumb invite sweet moments of seasonal joy you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 ⅓ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) fresh cranberries, washed and patted dry
- ⅔ cup (130 g) sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) sanding sugar
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) confectioner’s sugar
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (keep zest and juice separate)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Zest Fusion: Massage lemon zest into granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, sunshiny yellow, releasing aromatic citrus oils.
- Butter Transformation: Whip softened butter with lemon-infused sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and voluminously aerated.
- Liquid Integration: Blend egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a smooth, silky emulsion that promises tender cookies.
- Flour Incorporation: Gently fold flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet ingredients, mixing minimally to maintain the dough’s delicate structure.
- Cranberry Preparation: Chop dried cranberries into fine pieces, ensuring even distribution throughout the cookie dough.
- Dough Shaping: Craft uniform cookie spheres, rolling each in sanding sugar for a glittering, crystalline exterior that promises a delightful crunch.
- Baking Preparation: Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, strategically spacing them to allow even heat circulation.
- Cranberry Accent: Gently press a small piece of chopped cranberry into the center of each unbaked cookie, creating a vibrant flavor focal point.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges that signal perfect doneness.
- Cooling Technique: Rest cookies on the baking sheet for a brief 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and set their delicate structure.
- Glaze Crafting: Whisk confectioner’s sugar with fresh lemon juice until achieving a smooth, drizzle-worthy consistency that will add a bright, tangy finish.
- Final Flourish: Drizzle lemon glaze in an artistic zigzag pattern, then sprinkle a light dusting of additional sanding sugar for extra sparkle and texture.
Notes
- Zest Massaging Technique: Thoroughly rub lemon zest into sugar to release essential oils, creating a more intense citrus flavor profile.
- Butter Creaming Tip: Whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
- Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookie dough balls generously in sanding sugar for a delightful crunch and eye-catching sparkle.
- Glaze Application Hack: Use a small piping bag for precise lemon glaze drizzling, ensuring an elegant and professional finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 222
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg