These Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies are a vibrant and tangy treat that will brighten any occasion. The refreshing lemon flavor combined with the sweetness of raspberry jam creates the perfect balance, making these cookies a delightful dessert for both kids and adults. Their soft texture and chewy bite make them a perfect addition to any summer gathering, picnic, or afternoon tea.
The colorful pink hue from the lemonade powder adds a playful touch, and the jam-filled thumbprint offers a delicious surprise in every bite. You can even switch up the jam for different flavors like strawberry or blueberry, making these cookies customizable to your taste. Whether served at a celebration or enjoyed as a sweet snack, these cookies are sure to become a favorite.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 tablespoon lemon zest
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2 tablespoons pink lemonade drink mix powder
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1/4 cup raspberry jam or preserves
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and pink lemonade drink mix powder, mixing until fully combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
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Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
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Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of raspberry jam.
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Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
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Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes Kcal: 160 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
The Secret Behind the Beautiful Pink Glaze
One of the standout features of the Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies is their beautiful pale pink glaze, which is not achieved through artificial food coloring but instead by mashing a single fresh raspberry into the glaze. This technique allows the natural fruit to infuse the glaze with its vibrant color, giving the cookies a soft, natural pink hue that is both eye-catching and appetizing. Additionally, using fresh lemon juice in the glaze enhances the tartness of the raspberry, creating a refreshing contrast to the buttery sweetness of the cookies.
Creating the Perfect Thumbprint
While these cookies are visually appealing, their charm doesn’t stop at their looks. The thumbprint indentation in each cookie, traditionally created with your thumb, holds the raspberry glaze in place and adds a lovely texture to each bite. However, for a more unique and personalized touch, the recipe allows for creative expression. The author of the recipe, LeAnne, crafted a simple DIY heart-shaped stencil using cardboard, which she pressed into the cookies during the baking process, resulting in perfectly formed heart-shaped indentations. This clever technique is not only fun but adds a homemade, artistic flair to the cookies, making them a great option for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or any celebration of love.
How to Prevent Spreading
A common challenge when baking thumbprint cookies is ensuring they maintain their round shape rather than spreading too much on the baking sheet. To avoid this, it is essential to chill the dough balls before baking. Freezing the dough for 15 minutes helps the butter solidify, which ensures the cookies hold their shape during baking. In addition, baking the cookies on parchment paper or a silicone mat prevents them from sticking to the tray, allowing for easy removal and perfect cookie edges.
Storing and Enjoying Your Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies
Once baked, these Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. However, if you’re like most cookie lovers, you’ll find that these delicate treats disappear quickly, especially when shared with family or friends. The cookies also make excellent gifts, thanks to their cheerful pink hue and vibrant lemony flavor. Whether you’re gifting them for a birthday, a holiday, or a simple gesture of appreciation, these cookies will surely impress.
Serving Suggestions
Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed at various occasions. These cookies are a delightful treat for summer BBQs, tea parties, or picnics, where their refreshing lemon and raspberry flavors can shine. They also make a charming addition to holiday cookie swaps, where they will stand out due to their unique appearance and zesty flavor profile. Their small size and vibrant colors make them perfect for gift bags or boxes, adding a touch of homemade love to any celebration.
Why You Should Make These Cookies
Not only are these cookies delicious, but they also bring an element of creativity and fun to the baking process. The use of fresh ingredients like lemon zest, raspberry, and lemon juice adds a bright, fresh flavor to the cookies that’s perfect for any time of year. The ability to customize the cookies with different jams, such as strawberry or blueberry, also gives you the flexibility to experiment with your favorite flavors. However, the combination of lemon and raspberry in these cookies is truly a match made in heaven.
Additionally, these cookies are relatively easy to make, especially with the freezing technique that prevents spreading, making them a foolproof choice for both novice bakers and seasoned experts. Whether you are new to baking or a seasoned pro, you will find that this recipe delivers reliable and consistent results every time.
Conclusion
Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a statement. With their stunning appearance, fresh flavors, and fun heart-shaped indents, they are perfect for any occasion where you want to make an impression. These cookies are a lovely way to share a little sweetness with others, whether it’s for a special event or just as a way to brighten up someone’s day. Try making them for your next gathering or as a thoughtful homemade gift, and watch as they become a favorite among friends and family.
The combination of buttery shortbread, zesty lemon, and sweet raspberry glaze ensures that these Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies will be a hit. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and visually captivating, making them an ideal dessert for summer gatherings, holidays, or whenever you’re in the mood for a fun and flavorful treat. So, grab your ingredients, get creative with the thumbprint designs, and indulge in these delightful cookies that are sure to bring a smile to anyone who takes a bite.