Delightfully Zesty Lemon Holly Cookies Recipe
Delightfully Zesty Lemon Holly Cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a refreshing burst of lemon flavor. Topped with decorative red and green sprinkles or candied cherries, these festive cookies are perfect for the holiday season, adding a bright, citrusy touch to your dessert spread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1-hour chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies (depending on cutter size) 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (optional, for holly leaf effect)
For Decoration:
- Red and green sprinkles or
- Candied cherries, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a holly-shaped cookie cutter (or any festive shape) to cut out the cookies.
- Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the Cookies:
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to make a smooth icing. Add green food coloring if desired.
- Spread or drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies. Decorate with red and green sprinkles or small pieces of candied cherries to mimic holly berries and leaves.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Allow the icing to set before serving. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For an extra lemony punch, you can add a few drops of lemon extract to the dough or icing.
- If you don’t have a holly-shaped cutter, round or star-shaped cutters work just as well.
- These cookies can be frozen (uniced) for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate as needed.
Keywords: Delightfully Zesty Lemon Holly Cookies, lemon cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, lemon desserts, buttery cookies, citrus cookies, Christmas treats, lemon icing, holly cookies.