Looking for the perfect summer cookie recipe? Whether you're planning a picnic in the park, hosting a backyard barbecue, or simply craving a sweet treat on a lazy afternoon, we've curated a delightful collection of summer cookie recipes that will make your taste buds dance with joy!
As the sun casts its warm glow and the scent of flowers and barbecues fills the air, it becomes clear that summer has officially begun! And what better way to kick off the summer festivities than by baking fresh summer cookies? My go-to summer cookies tend to be my strawberry cheesecake cookies, my rosemary lemon bars, and my oreo chocolate chip cookies if I'm craving a quick chocolate fix.
However this summer I decided to adventure outside of my comfort zone and try out recipes from my fellow bakers. I've compiled the ultimate list of deliciously easy summer cookie recipes and don't worry, I sacrificed my calories and waist line so you don't have to!
Summer Cookies vs Fall Cookies
I am often asked questions about which season is best for baking certain cookies. The short answer is that you can bake any cookie at any time. However, when people mention specific cookies being suitable for a particular season, they are usually referring to the flavor profile of those cookies.
Summer cookies tend to embrace light, refreshing, and fruity flavors that align with the vibrant and warm nature of the season. They often incorporate ingredients like citrus fruits, berries, tropical flavors, and even herbs like mint or basil.
On the other hand, fall cookies are more inclined towards warm and cozy flavors that complement the crisp air and changing leaves of autumn. Traditional fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves often take center stage in these cookies, infusing them with a comforting aroma and a touch of nostalgia. Ingredients such as pumpkin, apples, caramel, and maple syrup are commonly used in fall cookies, adding richness and depth to their taste.
In general, you can't go wrong with making any cookie at any time!
Bright and Delicious Summer Cookie Recipes
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theartofbaking.org
These delicious strawberry cookies feature tons of fresh strawberries, a tangy cream cheese swirl, and homemade strawberry jam. They remind me of a strawberry cheesecake but in cookie form!
Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: richanddelish.com
These lemon crinkle cookies are chewy and soft and are filled with lemon zest and lemon juice for a delicious citrus flavor. They are rolled in sugar and powdered sugar and have a crispy and delicious exterior.
Blueberry Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: laneandgreyfare.com
These Blueberry Cookies are are soft and chewy eggless sugar cookies that are made with real frozen blueberries! They're soft and chewy in the middle and crunchy on the edges; the perfect combo!
Raspberry And White Chocolate Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: knifeandsoul.com
These chunky cookies feature white chocolate chips and fresh delicious raspberries. The milky sweetness of the white chocolate chips is the perfect match for the moist and tangy chunks of raspberry.
Lemon Blueberry Cookies (Vegan)
Recipe and photo credit: addictedtodates.com
Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients and only 20 minutes of active prep time, these chewy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Vegan Lemon Blueberry Cookies are the perfect way to summon smiles from your nearest and dearest.
Funfetti Birthday Cake Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: 365daysofbakingandmore.com
Funfetti Birthday Cake Cookies are a dessert that’s ready to party! Made with Funfetti Cake Mix, simple ingredients, and cream cheese frosting, this easy cookie recipe can brighten up a birthday party, baby shower or any day.
Lemon Half Moon Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theartofbaking.org
The classic New York City cookie with a blast of citrusy lemon flavor. Soft baked cookies with a cake-like texture, topped with the classic frosting of half vanilla and half lemon! These cookies are light and airy and packed with mouth puckering lemon flavor!
Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Recipe and photo credit: itsrainingflour.com
Toasted sesame seeds crushed and mixed into chocolate chip cookie batter make for an addictive, flavor packed cookie you will love! These gluten free Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect cookie to make for the holiday season.
Key Lime Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: addictedtodates.com
Delicious vegan Key Lime Cookies! With just 8 simple ingredients and only 15 minutes of active kitchen time, you can whip up a batch of these crunchy, chewy, pucker-worthy easy lime sugar cookies that are perfect for any occasion.
Lemon Butter Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: stateofdinner.com
These delightful 2-bite Lemon Butter Cookies are light and refreshing. After just one bite this simple recipe will move to the top of your list of favorite lemon desserts and cookie recipes.
Guava Cream Cheese Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: masalaandchai.com
The base is a soft, fluffy cream cheese cookie and it's topped with a sweet fruity guava paste. Dust it in powdered sugar and you're ready to munch on these addicting cookies.
Raspberry Shortbread Cookies with a Lemon Glaze
Recipe and photo credit: dancingthroughtherain.com
These Raspberry Shortbread Cookies With Lemon Glaze are the perfect treat any time of year! With bright fruity flavors and a buttery cookie base, this easy recipe is sure to become a favorite!
Matcha White Chocolate Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: savorysweetspoon.com
This is the best matcha white chocolate cookie recipe ever! The finished cookies have a crisp exterior and chewy interior with bursts of white chocolate in every bite.
Cheesecake Cookies with Cheesecake Topping
Recipe and photo credit: richanddelish.com
These cheesecake cookies are made with a graham cracker cookie, that is topped with a creamy cheesecake topping, and graham cracker crumbs.
Oreo Red Velvet Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theartofbaking.org
In the mood for a thick and delicious red velvet cookie? Try these thick and gooey red velvet cookies filled with white chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies!
S’mores Cookies Recipe
Recipe and photo credit: thegunnysack.com
This S’mores Cookies Recipe has the goodness of the classic summer treat stuffed into a cookie complete with a toasted marshmallow and chocolate on top!
Lemon White Chocolate Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: eatloveeats.com
These soft and chewy lemon white chocolate cookies are a great combination of flavor and all you could ask for in a cookie!
Easy Peach Cobbler Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: justastasty.com
These easy peach cobbler cookies are so soft and delicious! The cookies are packed with fresh, juicy peaches and then topped with a classic vanilla drizzle.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: thesimple-sweetlife.com
These strawberry shortcake cookies take everything you love about the classic summer treat and packs it into a portable, bite size dessert.
4th of July Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: ifyougiveablondeakitchen.com
Red, white and blue cookies are a festive way to celebrate the 4th of July! This easy cookie recipe uses basic ingredients with colorful m&m chocolate candies and sprinkles.
Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theartofbaking.org
Sweet, fancy, dainty, lemony, and floral...these Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies are perfect for your summer baking.
Lemon Raspberry Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theforkedspoon.com
Buttery, sweet, and perfectly soft cookies complemented by fresh lemon and tart raspberries.
White Chocolate Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: savorthespoonful.com
These shortbread cookies are made with freeze-dried strawberries and topped with a sweet white chocolate drizzle. These no-spread shortbread cookies are not only delicious but they're beautiful, too!
Limoncello Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: fromvalerieskitchen.com
These Limoncello Cookies are sweet and lemony with the best soft and tender texture. This easy cookie recipe is a great way to brighten your day!
Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: laneandgreyfare.com
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are are soft and chewy eggless pink sugar cookies that are made with real strawberries!
Palmiers Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: confettiandbliss.com
Palmiers cookies, also known as “elephant ear cookies,” are quick and easy to make. All you need are 2 basic ingredients: puff pastry sheets and sugar!
Salted Brownie Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: bakingmehungry.com
With crisp edges, a chewy center, and loads of rich chocolate flavor these Salted Brownie Cookies will become a regular in your dessert repertoire.
Giant Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: theartofbaking.org
These Oreo chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate mashup, featuring the two best cookies: chocolate chip cookies and Oreos!
Lemon Cheesecake Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: thecookiedoughdiaries.com
These lemon cheesecake cookies are soft, chewy and stuffed with the most amazing lemon cheesecake filling!
Espresso Chip Coffee Cookies
Recipe and photo credit: levelupbakes.com
Coffee and cookies?! Yes! Espresso chip coffee cookies are bursting with that coffee flavor and topped with a touch of sweetness.
Funfetti Sandwich Cookies with Raspberry Filling
Recipe and photo credit: sweetfixbaker.com
Soft and thick funfetti sandwich cookies with raspberry filling and soft vanilla buttercream!
My Favorite Summer Cookies
One classic favorite that never fails to please is the sugar cookie. With its buttery texture and golden brown edges, it's a good cookie for any occasion.
For a refreshing twist, try adding a touch of lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to the dough. These lemon cookies will transport you to a sunny paradise with every bite. Decorate them with yellow icing or sprinkle them with graham cracker crumbs for an extra burst of flavor.
If you're a fan of fruity delights, the fresh strawberry shortcake cookies are the perfect treat. Packed with the juicy goodness of fresh strawberries, these cookies capture the essence of summer in every bite.
The secret lies in the cookie dough, which is infused with room temperature fresh strawberries and a hint of vanilla extract. The result is a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that bursts with the fresh and sweet flavor of the season. Enjoy them on a warm summer day with a scoop of ice cream or as a delightful accompaniment to your afternoon tea.
For peanut butter lovers, peanut butter cookies are a must-try. With their rich and creamy texture, these cookies are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed all summer long.
Whip up a batch using a simple recipe that combines creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and a touch of vanilla extract. Bake them to a golden brown perfection, and you'll have a plate of irresistible cookies that are perfect for sharing at your next pool party or enjoying as a sweet snack any time of day.
Another summer favorite is the orange creamsicle cookie. Reminiscent of the classic frozen treat, these cookies bring together the flavors of tangy orange zest and creamy vanilla in a soft and chewy delight. The combination of citrus and sweet makes them an ideal choice for special occasions or lazy rainy days when you want to treat yourself to a burst of sunshine in every bite.
No summer cookie roundup would be complete without mentioning the beloved s'mores cookies.
With a nod to the campfire classic, these cookies capture the gooey goodness of marshmallows, rich chocolate, and graham cracker crumbs all baked into a golden brown cookie. The combination of flavors and textures takes s'mores to the next level, making these cookies a hit at summer parties and a perfect way to enjoy the flavors of a traditional favorite without the need for a fire.
Whichever summer cookie recipe you choose to bake, be sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and ready to enjoy. From pool parties and family reunions to lazy afternoons spent indoors, these delicious cookies are a fantastic way to celebrate the flavors and traditions of the season. So, grab your baking sheet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create sweet memories with these delightful summer cookies!
Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! Please leave a comment below!
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