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Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/lemon-sugar-cookies-recipe/