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Lemon Basil Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 149 reviews

Lemon Basil Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie, infusing bright lemon zest and juice with aromatic fresh basil. These soft and tender cookies have a slightly crisp edge and a refreshing, herbal-citrus flavor profile that makes them perfect for afternoon tea, parties, and gifting. Combining traditional baking with a sophisticated flavor pairing, these cookies bring a refreshing and unexpected burst of freshness to your cookie repertoire.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating the perfect base for your cookies.
  4. Add flavorings and egg: Incorporate the egg, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, finely chopped basil, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
  6. Portion dough: Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  7. Shape cookies: Flatten each cookie slightly using the bottom of a glass or your fingers to ensure even baking and an appealing shape.
  8. Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just start to brown, indicating they are ready.
  9. Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, preserving their tender texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon zest and basil for the best vibrant flavor; avoid bottled lemon juice or dried herbs.
  • If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 15–30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Don’t overbake; cookies should be soft in the center with lightly golden edges.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze the dough for future use.
  • For variations, try adding a lemon glaze, substituting basil with other herbs like mint or rosemary, or using whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
  • To make vegan cookies, replace butter with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg.

Keywords: lemon basil cookies, sugar cookies, lemon zest cookies, herb cookies, fresh basil dessert, lemon cookies, easy baking recipe, spring cookies, herbal sugar cookies

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/lemon-basil-sugar-cookies-recipe/