Springtime Sweets: Our Favorite Spring Cookie Recipes You're Sure to Love

The onset of spring marks a delightful shift in the season — from the chill of winter to the sun's warmth, from earth tones to pastels, and from hearty dishes to light and playful treats. It's the perfect time to revamp your baking with fresh, vibrant flavors and recipes that capture the season's essence. This blog post is for home bakers who want to usher in the spring with a collection of cookie recipes.

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon culinary lavender, finely chopped
  • A pinch of salt

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cream the butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
  • Mix the vanilla, lemon zest, and juice until well combined.
  • Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, lavender, and salt in a separate bowl.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until it forms a dough.
  • Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into your desired shapes.
  • Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Strawberry-Lemonade Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • Pink gel food coloring

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (from fresh or frozen strawberries)
  • 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • Lemon zest for garnish

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a large mixing bowl.
  • Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then the lemon zest and lemon extract.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until well incorporated.
  • Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and mix until you reach the desired shade.
  • Drop the cookies by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
  • To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until smooth.
  • Once the cookies have cooled for a few minutes, drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with lemon zest.

Matcha White Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and matcha powder in a bowl.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  • Beat in the eggs individually, then stir in the vanilla.
  • Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until well combined, then fold the white chocolate chips.
  • Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden.
  • Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Pro tip: For an aesthetically pleasing twist, grate some dark chocolate on top for contrast.

Rainbow Meringue Cookies

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg whites at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (various colors)

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 200°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large, completely grease-free bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  • Gradually add the sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat the egg whites.
  • Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  • Using a clean paintbrush, paint the inside sides of a piping bag with a few stripes of food coloring. Fill the bag with the meringue mixture.
  • Pipe the meringue onto the prepared baking sheets in small dollops.
  • Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours until the meringues are completely dry to the touch.
  • Turn off the oven and leave the meringues there for a few more hours or overnight.

These cookies are delightful and brighten up any table, making them the perfect addition to any springtime gathering. The playfulness of the rainbow coloring is sure to dazzle your family and friends. They may take some time, but the effort is worth it when you bite into that sweet, crispy meringue that practically melts in your mouth.

In Closing

Who doesn't love a freshly baked batch of cookies? These spring-inspired recipes can differ slightly from what you're used to, but the season change calls for some experimentation. Give them a try and celebrate the delightful flavors of spring with a touch of your baking creativity. Happy Baking!