Blueberry Drop Cookies 🍪💙

These delightful blueberry drop cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor! They make a perfect treat for any gathering or simply as a snack with your afternoon tea. The hint of almond and lemon zest adds a refreshing twist that pairs beautifully with the sweet blueberries.

Serve these cookies warm or at room temperature, and consider pairing them with a glass of milk or your favorite plant-based beverage! 🥛✨

Ingredients

For the cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, then mix in the milk, almond extract, and lemon zest one at a time, ensuring everything is well combined after each addition.

🍋 The lemon zest adds a bright flavor! Make sure to use fresh lemons for the best taste.

• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually blend this dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined.
• Carefully fold in the blueberries, being gentle to avoid smashing them.

🫐 Fresh blueberries work best, but if you use frozen ones, don't thaw them beforehand; this will keep the cookies from turning blue!

• Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours. This helps the dough firm up, resulting in a better texture.

❄️ If you're short on time, chilling for just 30 minutes will still yield good results!

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.

• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations

• Whole Wheat: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
• Add Chocolate: Toss in some chocolate chips for a chocolate-berry combination that’s simply irresistible!
• Nutty Delight: Incorporate 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
• Vegan: Replace shortening with coconut oil and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) for a plant-based alternative.

Enjoy baking these scrumptious cookies and share them with friends and family for a delightful treat! 🍪💙