Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of sweet strawberries and tangy lemon.
Soft, tender cookies with a creamy, dreamy frosting.
Gorgeous presentation for parties, showers, or special occasions.
Fun to make and decorate with colorful, fresh flavors.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Lemon Sugar Cookies
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
3 Tablespoons (42g) vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg + 1 large yolk, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon (10g) cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Strawberry Buttercream
1½ cups (33g) freeze-dried strawberries
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2½ cups (300g) powdered sugar
¼ cup (60mL) heavy cream
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For Decorating the Cookies
Freeze-dried strawberries
Lemon zest

Directions

Preheat oven: Set to 350 °F (175 °C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Make lemon sugar mixture: In a mixing bowl, rub lemon zest into granulated sugar with your fingers until fragrant.
Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and lemon sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in oil, egg, yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Scoop and bake: Portion dough into balls (about 1½ tablespoons each) and place on prepared sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers look slightly soft. Cool completely.
Prepare strawberry buttercream: Pulse freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder. Beat butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, strawberry powder, heavy cream, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
Assemble cookies: Spread or pipe buttercream onto cooled cookies. Decorate with crushed freeze-dried strawberries and lemon zest.

Servings and timing

Servings: About 24 cookies
Prep time: ~25 minutes
Bake time: ~10 minutes per batch
Total time: ~35–40 minutes

Variations

Use lime juice and zest for a strawberry-lime twist.
Add a touch of cream cheese to the buttercream for extra tang.
Swap raspberry powder for the strawberry powder for a different berry flavor.
Roll cookie dough in extra granulated sugar before baking for added crunch.

Storage/Reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months and frost after thawing.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries in the buttercream?

Fresh strawberries add too much moisture freeze-dried strawberries work best for flavor and texture.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling is required, but a brief 15-minute chill can help with shaping.

Can I make the cookies ahead of time?

Yes bake and cool the cookies, then store them unfrosted. Frost just before serving.

Can I make the buttercream less sweet?

Reduce powdered sugar slightly and add more strawberry powder for flavor balance.

What’s the best way to crush freeze-dried strawberries?

Use a food processor or blender until you have a fine powder.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Can I pipe designs with the buttercream?

Yes the frosting is stable enough for piping swirls or rosettes.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely just keep an eye on baking time, as ovens can vary.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor, but bottled can work in a pinch.

How do I keep cookies soft?

Store in an airtight container and avoid overbaking they should look slightly underdone when coming out of the oven.

Conclusion

Strawberry Lemonade Cookies are a burst of sunny flavor in every bite, pairing tangy lemon cookies with rich strawberry buttercream. They’re perfect for brightening up dessert tables and bringing a touch of summer to any occasion.