Lemon Blueberry Cookies

If you’ve ever savored the invigorating bite of a summer’s day, you might appreciate the appeal of lemon blueberry cookies. These treats offer a unique blend of tartness and sweetness that can elevate your dessert game effortlessly. With a straightforward recipe and minimal prep time, you might find yourself wondering how such a simple combination can yield such delightful results. What makes these cookies stand out, and how can you make them even more memorable?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you try these Lemon Blueberry Cookies, you’ll quickly see why they’re a favorite. The easy preparation makes them perfect for bakers of all skill levels. You can mix the dough with just a wooden spoon or spatula, and it only takes about 15-20 minutes to get everything ready.

If you prefer, you can use a stand mixer, but it’s not necessary, which helps prevent over-mixing.

The flavor profile is another reason to love this recipe. The strong lemon flavor comes from both zest and juice, while a blueberry compote creates a juicy swirl. You’ll also enjoy the sweetness from white chocolate chunks and a blend of granulated and brown sugars. Additionally, these cookies are made with real Michigan blueberries for an authentic taste.

For an extra touch, consider adding a lemon glaze.

Texture-wise, these cookies are soft and chewy with a crispy edge. The visible blueberry swirl makes them visually appealing, and the use of cornstarch helps maintain their shape.

Plus, they stay fresh for up to five days in an airtight container and can be frozen for later use. With all these great features, you’ll definitely enjoy making and sharing these cookies!

History

Lemon blueberry cookies have a fascinating history that reflects changing tastes and baking practices over time. Before the 20th century, you wouldn’t find any direct references to these cookies, as lemon and blueberry were mostly used in separate desserts.

By the early 20th century, fruit-based cookies gained popularity, but the specific combination of lemon and blueberry wasn’t widely documented yet.

As you move into the mid-20th century, you start to see lemon and blueberry together in pastry recipes, though cookie references are still rare.

It wasn’t until the late 20th century that combining these flavors in baked goods became more common. In the 21st century, the rise of online recipe platforms and food blogs led to a surge in lemon blueberry cookie recipes, showcasing a variety of techniques and ingredient combinations. Frozen wild blueberries are essential for optimal flavor and prevent excess moisture, which has become a hallmark of many modern recipes.

You’ll notice that early recipes often used fresh blueberries, while modern versions may recommend frozen wild blueberries for better texture.

Additionally, the way lemons are used has evolved, with lemon zest now often mixed with sugar to enhance the flavor.

Recipe

Lemon Blueberry Cookies

These delightful lemon blueberry cookies are a perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. The bright notes of fresh lemon zest and juice complement the juicy bursts of blueberries, creating a revitalizing cookie that’s both satisfying and light. The cookies are also allergy-friendly and can cater to various dietary restrictions, which makes them suitable for a wider audience.

Whether enjoyed warm from the oven or cooled and glazed, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends alike. To achieve the best texture and flavor, it’s important to follow the mixing and chilling steps closely. By allowing the dough to rest in the refrigerator, you help develop the flavors and guarantee that the cookies hold their shape while baking.

The addition of a simple lemon glaze can elevate these cookies even further, giving them a sweet and zesty finish that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients:
– 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or 2 cups gluten-free)
– ½ teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
– 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 ¼ cups white sugar
– 2 whole eggs and 1 yolk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Zest of 2 lemons
– ¾ cup frozen wild blueberries (or 1 cup fresh or frozen)
– Optional: ½ cup shortening, 2 tablespoons milk powder

Cooking Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the melted butter and sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and continue mixing until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Gently fold in the blueberries until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to allow it to chill and firm up.
5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 325 degrees Fahrenheit for a softer cookie). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Using an ice cream scoop, portion out the dough and form balls. Optionally, coat the dough balls with lemon sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each ball.
7. Bake the cookies for 14-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

For the best results, remember to use fresh lemons for zest and juice, as they offer superior flavor compared to pre-bottled options. Additionally, allowing the cookies to cool completely before glazing will help the glaze set properly.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a cream cheese filling for an extra layer of flavor. Enjoy your lemon blueberry cookies!

Final Thoughts

These Lemon Blueberry Cookies offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy your cravings. With all-natural ingredients like real blueberries and natural lemon flavor, you can enjoy a guilt-free snack at just 110 calories per serving. Their long shelf life of eight months means you can keep them on hand for any occasion, whether you’re at home or on the go. Customers rave about their fresh taste and addictive quality, making them perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even a treat with your favorite hot beverage.

Since they’re made in a peanut-free facility, they’re safe for those avoiding peanuts. With a nutritional profile that includes 4g of fat and 17g of carbohydrates per serving, these cookies provide a balanced option for health-conscious snackers. Additionally, they contain approximately 4 grams of fat per serving, which contributes to their overall appealing taste.

The use of real blueberries and Meyer Lemon oil creates a unique flavor profile that stands out from other brands. Next time you need a quick, tasty treat, consider these Lemon Blueberry Cookies. Their versatility, freshness, and satisfying taste make them a great addition to your pantry. You’ll likely find it hard to resist reaching for another one!

FAQ

If you’re curious about making the perfect Lemon Blueberry Cookies, you’ve come to the right place. You might wonder about the key ingredients. For these cookies, you’ll need lemons for zest and juice, fresh or frozen blueberries, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.

When it comes to flour, you can use either all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour. Remember that the baking temperature differs: bake at 350°F for all-purpose flour and 325°F for gluten-free. Typically, the baking time is around 14 to 16 minutes.

Chilling the dough is essential if you’re facing spreading issues. Some recipes recommend chilling for 30 minutes to an hour. For the best flavor, adjust the lemon zest and juice to your liking, ensuring a balanced lemon taste. Additionally, this recipe yields 8 thick, large cookies, making it perfect for sharing.

If you want to enhance your cookies, consider adding white chocolate chunks or a lemon sugar coating before baking. You can also create a blueberry swirl by mixing blueberries with sugar and cornstarch.

Using fresh or frozen blueberries is perfectly fine, so choose based on what you have. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to delicious Lemon Blueberry Cookies!