Description
Zesty lemon ginger cookies dance with bright citrus and warm spice, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. Crisp edges and chewy centers invite bakers to savor these delightful treats that bring comfort and joy to any cookie plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
Binding and Leavening Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cookie placement.
- Blend softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Incorporate the egg, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and finely grated lemon zest into the butter mixture, ensuring even distribution of citrus flavors.
- Combine flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Shape the dough into uniform balls, spacing them evenly on the prepared baking sheet to allow proper spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges that indicate the cookies are perfectly crisp and cooked through.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a brief moment to set their structure, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.
Notes
- Always use room temperature butter for smoother, more even creaming that creates a lighter cookie texture.
- Grate fresh lemon zest directly before mixing to capture maximum bright, citrusy essential oils for intense flavor.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cookie structure.
- Roll cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking for a crackled, elegant finish that adds subtle sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg