These Chewy Lemon Raspberry Cookies are a fun treat bursting with bright flavors! Made with zesty lemon and sweet raspberries, they are soft and chewy—perfect for cookie lovers!
Every bite is a delightful mix of sweetness and tanginess. I love sharing them with friends, and they always disappear quickly. Who can resist the tasty combo? 😋
They’re also super easy to make! Just mix, scoop, and bake. I like enjoying them with a cup of tea. It’s a perfect little moment of joy in my day!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your cookies, giving them structure. If you’re gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose blend instead.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best to control the saltiness in cookies. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, coconut oil or a plant-based butter works well!
Granulated and Brown Sugar: The mix of these sugars gives a nice depth of flavor. You can replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for a lighter option, and honey or maple syrup can substitute granulated sugar, but adjust the flour accordingly.
Fresh Raspberries: You can use frozen raspberries if fresh ones aren’t available. Just be sure to lightly thaw them and drain excess moisture before folding them into the dough.
How Can I Avoid Over-mixing the Dough?
Mixing the dough correctly is crucial for chewy cookies. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies rather than soft ones. Here’s how to mix it right:
- Combine wet and dry ingredients slowly. Add dry to the wet a little at a time.
- Mix until just combined; it’s okay if you see a little flour. Mixing will continue as you fold in raspberries.
- Work gently when folding in raspberries. This helps keep the fruit intact and prevents red streaks in the dough.
Remember, the less you mix, the better the texture will be! Keep it simple, and your cookies will turn out perfectly chewy.
Chewy Lemon Raspberry Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation and 10-12 minutes of baking time. You’ll need an extra 5 minutes for cooling before enjoying these delicious cookies. In total, you’re looking at about 30-40 minutes from start to delicious finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Baking Sheets:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier!
2. Making the Dry Mix:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. These ingredients are the base of your cookies, and the zest will add a lovely lemony aroma.
3. Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this should take about 3-4 minutes. This step is key for achieving that chewy texture!
4. Adding the Eggs and Flavoring:
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice. Your kitchen should smell delightful by now!
5. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined. It’s okay if there are a few flour streaks; we want to avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies tender!
6. Folding in the Raspberries:
Gently fold in the fresh raspberries, taking care not to break them apart too much. This way, you’ll have beautiful bursts of fruit in your cookies, rather than a red dough!
7. Scooping and Rolling Cookies:
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll each ball in granulated sugar for a nice sweet finish. This also helps give your cookies a lovely sparkle when baked!
8. Arranging for Baking:
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball so they have room to spread as they bake.
9. The Baking Process:
Pop the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. This will ensure a chewy texture!
10. Cooling Time:
Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before you transfer them to a wire rack for the remainder of their cooling.
11. Enjoying Your Treat:
Now it’s time to indulge! Enjoy your chewy lemon raspberry cookies with a cup of tea or your favorite beverage. Who could resist these delightful treats?
These cookies have a tender, chewy texture with bright lemon flavor and pockets of juicy raspberries, topped with a light sparkle of sugar for a delightful finish. Happy baking! 🌟
Can I Use Frozen Raspberries Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen raspberries! Just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess moisture before folding them into the dough. This helps prevent the cookies from becoming too watery.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just be sure to separate the cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Can I Add Other Ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even some coconut flakes for added texture and flavor. Just be mindful of the balance so you don’t overwhelm the lemon and raspberry flavors!
How Do I Adjust the Recipe for Different Sweetness Levels?
If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar by ¼ cup. Keep in mind that sugar also impacts the texture, so the cookies may be slightly less chewy. Adjusting sugar may also alter the overall taste, so taste as you go!
