Buttery Sugar Cookies Recipe With Lemonade Frosting: A Secret Ingredient Makes Them Extra Moist Cookies Desserts Snacks Holidays Low Sodium Recipes

Looking for the perfect cookie to welcome warm weather? We've got you! Everyone loves, loves, loves this moist vanilla sugar cookie recipe with sweet lemonade frosting. And so will you because it's super easy to make and just eating them feels like you're basking in sunshine. Plus, there's a secret ingredient that makes them extra soft and moist: sour cream. Seriously!

The simple vanilla sugar cookie dough is made with butter, sugar, an egg, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), flour, baking powder and a little kosher salt. The cookies bake for about 11 to 12 minutes before heading to a wire rack to cool. The creamy, refreshing lemonade icing is made with butter, powdered sugar, lemonade mix and milk.

The cookies are super moist and soft because of the sour cream (or Greek yogurt, if you prefer). This is the perfect lemon cookie for lemon lovers! Serve them as a sweet snack anytime, or as a light dessert. Enjoy the taste of sweet sunshine!

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 1 hour to chill 
Cook Time: 11 to 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes plus 1 hour to chill 
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Cookie Dough 

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream or full-fat plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemonade powdered mix (add more for a more robust lemon flavor)
• 1 tablespoon milk

Helpful Products

• Electric Mixer
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Cookie Scoop
• Whisk
• Baking Sheet
• Rubber Spatula
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• Parchment Paper
• Airtight Containers

Recipe Notes

• You could use pink lemonade mix if you think pink!

• The amount of cookies depends on the size of the balls you form from the dough.

• Be sure to let the cookies cool completely before frosting.

• Store these frosted lemonade cookies in an airtight container to keep them moist.

• For a festive touch, add yellow and white sprinkles on top. 

Here's how to make it: 

1. To make the cookie dough, in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar together for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Mix in egg, sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix on low speed until combined. Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
2. When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Drop balls of the dough (about 3 tablespoons each) onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until the tops spring back when touched, about 11 to 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on a wire rack.
3. To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on low for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and mix on low speed until combined. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and continue mixing for 2 to 3 minutes until very light and fluffy. Add the lemonade mix and milk. Beat on low speed until incorporated. (If you want a deeper yellow color, add a little yellow food coloring.)
4. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost the tops. Add sprinkles, if desired.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by HappyForks. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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