Lemon-Ginger Cookies with Mint

By loritot

Traditional sugar cookies are always good, but I love to make them even tastier with additions like lemon, ginger, or mint -- or why not all three? These flavors work together beautifully, resulting in crisp, fragrant cookies that are perfect with a cup of a tea. Or a scoop of ice cream. Or on their own!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (about 20 large), finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger (about 1 ounce)
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 1/4 cup coarse sugar, for rolling

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, mint, ginger, lemon zest, and baking soda. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter, granulated and brown sugars, vanilla, and egg yolk on medium until fluffy, about 8 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat just until combined.

Place coarse sugar in a small bowl. Roll rounded teaspoons of dough into balls and gently roll in sugar to coat. Place, 2 inches apart, on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake until edges are slightly brown, 14 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.