Description
Zesty Lemon Holly Cookies are festive, buttery treats bursting with lemony freshness and holiday cheer. Shaped like holly leaves and decorated with bright icing or sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for Christmas celebrations. Their tangy flavor and delicate crumb make them an irresistible addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Green food coloring (optional)
For Decoration:
- Red candy pearls or sprinkles
- Edible glitter or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use holly leaf cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add green food coloring if desired.
- Decorate the Cookies:
- Brush or drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies. Decorate with red candy pearls to resemble holly berries and sprinkle with edible glitter or sanding sugar for a festive touch.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the glaze set for about 30 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract to the dough.
- If you don’t have holly leaf cookie cutters, use any festive shapes you like.
- To make the cookies even more decorative, pipe fine details on the glaze using royal icing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American