Name: Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 41 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 raspberries

These Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful and refreshing twist on a classic treat. With a buttery shortbread base, a tangy lemon flavor, and a pretty pink glaze, these cookies are perfect for a summer gathering, a picnic, or a special occasion dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavorful and Refreshing: The combination of sweet and tart flavors from the lemon and raspberry glaze creates a perfectly balanced and refreshing cookie.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear instructions, these cookies are surprisingly easy to assemble and bake.
Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant pink glaze and the delicate powdered sugar dusting make these cookies a visually appealing treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies:

For the Cookies:

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture.
Confectioners’ sugar: Adds sweetness and creates a delicate texture.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Unsalted butter: Softened, adds richness and flavor.
Lemon zest: Freshly grated, adds a bright and fragrant citrus flavor.
Lemon juice: Adds tartness and balances the sweetness.

For the Glaze:

Confectioners’ sugar: Creates a sweet and smooth glaze.
Lemon juice: Adds a tangy flavor and thins the glaze to the right consistency.
Raspberries: Adds a beautiful pink color and a fruity flavor to the glaze.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ½ cup of the confectioners’ sugar, and kosher salt. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until light and fluffy. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.

Step 2: Chill and Shape

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Freeze the dough balls for 12-15 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Bake and Make Indentations

Transfer the chilled dough balls to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes, then gently press the back of a teaspoon or the end of a wooden spoon handle into the center of each ball to create an indentation. Continue baking for another 16-18 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 4: Make the Glaze

While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and raspberries until smooth. You can mash the raspberries with a fork to distribute their color and flavor evenly.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

Dust the cooled cookies with confectioners’ sugar. Spoon or pipe the pink glaze into the indentations of each cookie. Let the glaze set for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use room temperature ingredients: Room temperature butter will cream more easily, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie.
Don’t overbake: Overbaking will result in dry and crumbly cookies. Bake just until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

How to Serve Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies

Dessert: These Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful dessert for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to special celebrations.
Party Treat: They’re perfect for parties, potlucks, or afternoon tea.
Summertime Snack: Enjoy a cookie as a refreshing and satisfying snack on a hot day.