Description
Delight in these charming Peach Cookies, featuring a tender and buttery dough infused with lemon zest and peach schnapps. Each cookie is filled with a luscious peach preserves mixture and decorated with vibrant colored peach schnapps glazes, offering a sweet treat perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon peach schnapps liqueur
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup peach preserves
- 1 tablespoon peach schnapps liqueur
Decoration
- 2/3 cup peach schnapps liqueur
- Red and yellow food coloring
- Sugar for coating
- Green candy leaves or plastic leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the cookies.
- Mix in liquids and dry ingredients: Beat in the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Then add the sour cream and peach schnapps. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually add this to the creamed mixture, blending until just combined.
- Shape the cookies: Lightly grease your hands and roll the dough into 3/4-inch balls. Arrange them on ungreased baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart, then gently flatten each one slightly.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes until firm but still tender. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool slightly.
- Prepare the filling crumbs: While the cookies are still warm, carefully cut and scoop out about 1/2 teaspoon of crumbs from the bottom of each cookie using a sharp knife and spoon. Set these crumbs aside for mixing into the filling. Allow the cookies to cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a small bowl, combine the peach preserves and 1 tablespoon of peach schnapps, then stir in the reserved cookie crumbs to create a thick, flavorful filling.
- Assemble the peach cookies: Spoon the filling onto the bottom halves of two cookies, spreading a thin and even layer. Press the cookie halves together gently to form small peach-shaped sandwiches. Repeat this with all cookies and filling.
- Prepare the colored glazes: Divide 2/3 cup of peach schnapps into two small bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and yellow food coloring to the other, mixing each until the color is uniform. Place sugar into a third dish for coating.
- Decorate the cookies: Dip half of each assembled cookie sandwich into the yellow schnapps mixture, then dip the other half into the red mixture. Immediately roll the wet sides in sugar to coat. Optionally, add a green candy or plastic leaf on top to mimic peach leaves. Repeat this process for all cookies.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies; they should be firm but tender.
- If peach schnapps is not available, peach brandy or peach-flavored extract can be substituted.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before filling and decorating to prevent melting or sliding.
- Green candy leaves can be found in baking supply stores or online for authentic decoration.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
