Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Bite into these Lemon Sugar Cookies for a refreshing burst of tangy sweetness. With a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a zesty lemon flavor, they’re perfect for any occasion and sure to brighten your day.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling, optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the egg, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
5. Step 5: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to develop flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
6. Step 6: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. For extra sweetness, roll each ball in powdered sugar before placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing and a creamy texture.
• Don’t skip chilling the dough; this helps maintain a nice shape and soft center.
• For an extra burst of lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon extract.
• Try swapping half of the flour for almond flour for a nutty twist.
• Add white chocolate chips or poppy seeds for added texture and flavor.
• Roll cookies in brown sugar instead of powdered sugar for a richer taste.

Storage

Store your Lemon Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a container separated by parchment paper for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice provides a brighter, more vibrant flavor that really enhances these cookies. For best results, use fresh lemons.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The edges should be lightly golden while the centers still look slightly soft and underbaked. They will continue cooking as they cool, yielding a tender texture.

Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 141 reviews

These Lemon Sugar Cookies offer a refreshing burst of tangy sweetness with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant lemon flavor. Perfectly balanced between soft and chewy, they make a delightful treat for any occasion, enhanced by a light dusting of powdered sugar for that extra touch of sweetness.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert, Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest

For Rolling

• ½ cup powdered sugar (optional but recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies once the dough is prepared.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and create a light, uniform mixture.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the texture is light and fluffy, approximately 3-5 minutes. This process creates tiny air pockets for tender cookies.
4. Add egg and lemon: Incorporate the egg, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to infuse the dough with vibrant citrus flavor and a lovely yellow hue.
5. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, keeping the cookies soft and chewy.
6. Chill dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial to prevent excessive spreading during baking and to develop deeper flavors.
7. Shape the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll each into a ball. Then, optionally roll each ball in powdered sugar to add sweetness and a pretty finish.
8. Prepare baking sheet and bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
9. Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their soft texture.
10. Store properly: Keep the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months with parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming and a fluffy dough.
• Chill the cookie dough a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent spreading and improve texture.
• For extra lemon flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract.
• Watch the cookies closely during baking; they can quickly go from perfectly baked to overdone.
• Try varying citrus zests such as orange or lime for new flavor variations.
• Use a microplane to zest lemons finely without the bitter pith.
• Consider experimenting with rolling sugars, like brown sugar for a richer taste.

Keywords: Lemon Sugar Cookies, lemon cookies, citrus cookies, soft cookies, lemon zest cookies, easy cookie recipe, baking cookies