Are You Blue(berry)? These Cookies Are!

You'll be "blue" if you don't try this recipe before summer disappears.

There's certainly nothing wrong with a chocolate chip cookie. My dad was convinced that was all we could make back when we were baking at home. So if you're looking for an alternative to chocolate chip, the summertime produce case can provide some inspiration.

Summertime brings sales on fresh berries. Of course, eating blueberries right out of the carton or stirred into fruit salads is the usual way to devour the bounty of summertime flavor. And who can argue with that? But blueberries also provide an alternative to the same old-same old that ends up being our usual go-to cookie recipes. Since Randy loves blueberries, I thought I'd give it a try!

The cookies have a more cake-like texture. Someone on the recipe site compared it to a scone, but I disagree. I usually find scones too dry. With a cream cheese cookie base, this recipe yielded a moister baked texture. And with added sweetness from white chocolate chips and the lemony glaze, they're like summertime in a tasty morsel.

Even if you've tried to be careful stirring in the blueberries, by the time you get to the bottom of the mixing bowl, the dough will likely have a greenish-blue color. It doesn't affect the taste - just the appearance.

It would be possible to use frozen berries, but they would need to be well-drained. And I'm sure there would be more chances of having the blue-green tinge in the finished cookie.

Use a decorator's tube or bag for spreading the glaze, and they'd be perfect for a bridal or baby shower - if we ever get to have such events in person again!

If you try the recipe, let me know what you think!

Blueberry Cream Cheese Cookies

Adapted from Delish

For the Cookies:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 large egg

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp. lemon zest

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup blueberries

1 cup white chocolate chips

For the Lemon Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tbsp. cream (or milk)

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. melted butter

For the cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Scrape down sides. Add egg, lemon juice and zest. Beat until combined.

Combine dry ingredients. Beat into the wet mixture just until combined. Add in white chocolate chips until incorporated. Gently stir in blueberries by hand.

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake until cookies are set and edges turn lightly golden, 12-15 minutes. Let cool.

For Glaze: Whisk together all ingredients. If it's too thin, add a little powdered sugar. If it's too thick to drizzle, add a little additional cream or milk. Drizzle glaze onto cooled cookies. Let glaze set up before storing. If stacking cookies, put waxed paper between layers.

Notes:

• The original recipe called for the lemon zest from one lemon in the glaze. Since I wanted to use a decorator's tip to speed up drizzling the glaze, I opted to leave the zest out. I'm sure it would be tasty and provide a little more lemony "bite." You could also use a knife to spread, but you'd use more glaze (not necessarily a bad thing)!
• I doubled the recipe so I could have cookies in the freezer. And if you're making a mess, you might as well make it worthwhile, right?! However, once the cookies sit for a little while, the blueberries may leech a bit. This doesn't affect the taste - just the appearance. (Just a heads up - in case you're serving them for an event.)
  
• Even if you've tried to be careful stirring in the blueberries, by the time you get to the bottom of the mixing bowl, the dough will likely be a little greenish-blue in color. It doesn't affect the taste - just the appearance. 
• If you prefer, you can serve them unfrosted, like those in the photo below. The glaze just adds a little extra lemon flavor and makes them look pretty if you're serving for an event.