Lush Lemon + Basil Sugar Cookies 

Bright, tangy lemon zest dances with minty basil in these ultra-soft, chewy sugar cookies that offer a refreshingly unique twist on a classic. The secret is basil sugar—sugar ground with fresh basil—which creates a vibrant, beautifully speckled dough bursting with herbal-citrus aroma. A quick chill and a brief bake ensure plush centers with crisp edges. Perfect for those who prefer desserts that aren’t overly sweet, these cookies are elegant yet effortless, ideal for anytime you want something bright, flavorful, and delightfully memorable. Ingredients

• Cookie Dough:
  
  

  • 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
    
    

  • ⅔ cup (40 g) fresh basil leaves, stems removed
    
    

  • 2 sticks (226 g) unsalted butter, room temp
    
    

  • 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)
    
    

  • 2 tsp lemon zest
    
    

  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
    
    

  • 2½ cups (364 g) all-purpose flour
    
    

  • ¾ tsp baking soda
    
    

  • ½ tsp salt
    
    

• Basil Sugar for Rolling:
  
  

  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
    
    

  • 5–6 basil leaves 

Directions

1. Preheat & dry mix: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
   
   

2. Make basil sugar: In a food processor, blitz 1¾ cups sugar with basil leaves until bright green and fragrant. Reserve ¼ cup for coating.
   
   

3. Cream butter: In a mixer, beat butter until pale (~1 min). Add basil sugar, beat 2–3 min until light and creamy.
   
   

4. Add flavorings: Mix in vanilla, lemon zest, egg, and yolk until smooth (~2–3 min).
   
   

5. Combine: On low speed, fold in flour mixture until just combined. Scrape bowl to ensure even mix.
   
   

6. Portion & coat: Scoop 2 Tbsp (or 40 g) dough balls. Roll in reserved basil sugar and place 2 in apart on parchment-lined trays.
   
   

7. Bake: Bake 8–9 min until edges set but centers still soft. Remove and shape rounds with a cutter while warm if desired. Let cool 5–10 min.
   
   

Nutrients (per cookie; makes ~24)

• Calories: ~160 kcal
  
  

• Total Fat: ~8 g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: ~5 g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~20 g
  
  

• Sugars: ~11 g
  
  

• Protein: ~2 g
  (Estimates based on standard ingredient values.)