Description
Zesty lemon basil cookies blend Mediterranean sunshine with delicate herbal notes, creating a perfect balance of tangy and aromatic flavors. Crisp edges and delicate centers invite you to savor summer’s essence in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking surface.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and develops a whipped, airy texture.
- Incorporate egg, fresh lemon juice, vibrant lemon zest, finely chopped basil, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until ingredients are fully integrated.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to create a cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Shape the dough into uniform tablespoon-sized spheres, carefully positioning them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Delicately press down each dough ball using the back of a spoon to create a slightly flattened, rustic appearance.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden edges and a set center as indicators of perfect doneness.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for a brief cooling period before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and develop their final texture.
Notes
- Experiment with different herbs like thyme or mint for unique flavor variations that complement the lemon perfectly.
- Use gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
- Chop fresh basil finely to distribute the herbal flavor evenly throughout the cookie dough and prevent large herb chunks.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create a more compact, uniform cookie shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg