These easy Pink Lemonade Cookies are sweet, tart, and bursting with cheerful citrus flavor. Powdered pink lemonade mix, lemon extract, and fresh lemon zest give these pretty sugar-coated cookies their signature taste and color, making them perfect for summer parties, baby showers, birthdays, and other colorful celebrations.
For other delicious dishes that can be served for summer luau's or party themes, I invite you also visit: Pineapple Pork Tenderloin, Prosciutto Wrapped Pineapple Spears, and Grilled Pineapple Poundcake, and Pineapple-Shaped Cheeseball.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list for making pink lemonade cookies:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How this recipe came to be:
- Can pink lemonade cookie dough be frozen?
- Can these lemonade cookies be frozen after baking?
- Can regular lemonade mix be used, not pink?
- The step-by-step photo instructions for making pink lemonade cookies:
- Additional fun luau/summer recipes:
- Key Recipe Takeaways:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list for making pink lemonade cookies:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- butter
- granulated sugar
- powdered pink lemonade mix
- egg
- pure vanilla extract
- lemon extract
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- baking soda
- pink (or red) food coloring (optional)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- small cookie scoop
- cooling rack
- kitchen timer
How this recipe came to be:
My husband and I decided to host a huge summer luau in our backyard and this is one of the cookie recipes I developed to serve for dessert.
Since the color of these Pink Lemonade Cookies reminds me of flamingos, what could be more fun and appropriate for a luau?!
Can pink lemonade cookie dough be frozen?
Yes.
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Shape the dough into balls and freeze them in an airtight container for up to four months. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator. Shape the dough into balls and roll in sugar before baking as directed.
Can these lemonade cookies be frozen after baking?
You bet!
Store them in an air-tight container and freeze them for up to 4 months.
Can regular lemonade mix be used, not pink?
Sure thing! Use what you have, or what you like.
On a side note, however, you may want to use a few drops of yellow food color (not pink) for making yellow lemonade cookies (or no color at all), but the choice is totally yours on that.
The step-by-step photo instructions for making pink lemonade cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees F (175 C).
- Cream the butter, sugar and lemonade mix together in a large bowl until light and creamy.
- Blend in the egg, vanilla, and lemon extract.
- In a separate bowl whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Zest one large lemon and set aside.
- Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture in ⅓ increments, blending lightly after each addition.
- When the flour is all incorporated, add the fresh lemon zest and food color (if using), and blend lightly until the color is completely incorporated.
- Use a small cookie to roll the dough into 1" balls and then roll the balls into granulated sugar to coat.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, for even doneness.
- Place on cooling racks to cool comepletely before serving.
Additional fun luau/summer recipes:
- Pineapple Shaped Cheese Ball
- Twice Baked Sweet Potato Boats
- Sand Dollar Cookies
- Frozen Pineapple Pops Dipped in Chocolate
Key Recipe Takeaways:
- Pink Lemonade Cookies are sweet, tart, and perfect for summer celebrations.
- These cookies use powdered pink lemonade mix, lemon extract, and lemon zest for flavor and color.
- You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- The recipe includes simple steps, from preheating the oven to baking and cooling the cookies.
- Additional summer recipes are provided, including Hawaiian-themed recipes and desserts.
Printable Recipe Card
Pink Lemonade Cookies
Equipment
- hand mixer optional
- stand mixer optional
- kitchen scale optional
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup total) butter softened, I use salted
- 1¼ cup granulated sugar divided
- ½ cup powdered sweetened pink lemonade mix
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4-5 drops pink gel food color or red food coloring (if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer along with the paddle attachment, blend the butter, sugar, and lemonade mix until light and fluffy.
- Blend in the egg, vanilla, and lemon extract.
- In a medium-size bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Blend the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture in ⅓ increments, blending well after each addition of flour.
- Add the lemon zest and food coloring (if using).
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball into the ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat.
- Place the balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 2" between each cookie.
- Bake cookies in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, making sure to rotate the sheets halfway throughout the baking process.
- Bake just until the edges just begin to brown.
- Remove, cool on a cooling rack, and continue the process with the remaining dough.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's deliciously pink lemonade sugar cookie recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.
Ethan says
Cookies burnt 13 minutes into bake time at 350°, wouldn't recommend 15-18 minutes.
Renée says
Thank you, Ethan.
emily says
can I freeze the dough ahead of time and then pop them in the oven on the day needed?
Renée says
Hi, Emily!
You sure can! The dough can be frozen for up to 4 months if wrapped well.
Enjoy the cookies, and please let me know how you like them. 🙂
Take good care,
Renee
Mike VH says
I would reduce the temp a bit or go a little less (12-14 min) to avoid burning the bottoms but the flavor was great! Got the pink hue with 9 drops of red food coloring
Renée says
Hi, Mike!
I'm glad you enjoyed the flavor of these cookies, and thanks for the 5 star review.
I'm sorry that your cookies got a little brown on the bottom.
Our ovens must run slightly different as far as temperature go.
I'm glad you know to adjust next time.
Take care and thanks for your kindness.
Renee
Katie says
I made these cookies for a birthday party and everyone loved them, even people who were not big fans of lemon-flavored treats. Just a note on the baking time, I like my cookies on the softer side, so I took them out at 13-14 minutes. Thank you for a yummy recipe!
Renée says
I'm glad you enjoyed these cookies and knew enough to adjust the bake time to achieve softer cookies.
Thanks for the comment, Katie.
Take good care,
Renee
Liz says
My friend is having a little girl and these are going to be perfect for her baby shower! So cute!
Renée says
These would be adorable for a baby shower. Great idea, Liz!
Taryn says
My 12 year old made these last weekend for a party. Everyone loved them!
Renée says
Glad to hear it, Taryn!
Terri Truscello Miller says
These are such fun cookies! I love pink and the lemonade is perfect for a Summer party. Thank you for participating!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Such bright and summery cookies!
Bobbi Burleson says
I love these cookies Renee! I wish I had had this recipe when my son and his fiance had their baby shower 🙂 I Will hold onto it for when my grand daughter is old enough for cookies.
Wendy Klik says
I Love the cookies and I really love the apron and glasses. I am heading over to check your ETSY site now
Cindy Kerschner says
So pretty in pink, Renee! I love the Sunday Supper glasses!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Renee, these cookies are so darn pretty and elegant! I love the flamingo reference too! And nothing says summer like "pink lemonade." It's perfect both for your luau and for today's party.
Susan Pridmore says
I love these pink cookies! And they'll be perfect for your luau this weekend!
Foodie Stuntman says
My daughter would absolutely love these. I bet the acidity in the lemon would balance the sweetness well.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Oh, you made the prettiest cookies!
Liz Berg says
Such yummy, crackled lemonade cookies! And pink lemonade makes them even more festive!
P.S. LOVE the apron and glasses you made for Isabel! I have gotten tons of compliments on mine 🙂
Tammi Forcier says
Who wouldn't love a pink lemonade anything never mind a cookie! I still use my wine glass all the time Renee you are so talented!
Stacy Rushton says
Your beautiful cookies are perfection in pink, Reneé!