Lemon Glaze Raspberry-Filled Cookies

Introduction:

Indulge in these deliciously soft and buttery cookies with a zesty lemon glaze and a delightful raspberry jam filling. Perfect for tea time or as a special treat, these cookies combine tart citrus with sweet berries for an irresistible dessert. With their golden edges and creamy glaze, they’re as beautiful as they are tasty.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups (344g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Raspberry Filling:

• ¾ cup raspberry jam or preserves

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
2. Shape and Bake:
   • Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into balls. Flatten each ball slightly and create a small indentation in the center using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
   • Fill the indentation with a small amount of raspberry jam.
   • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Make the Lemon Glaze:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add more lemon juice if needed for the desired consistency.
   • Stir in lemon zest for extra flavor.
4. Assemble the Cookies:
   • Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cookies or dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze. Let the glaze set before serving.

Enjoy these delightful cookies with a cup of tea or coffee for a perfect afternoon treat!