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These yummy Lemon Sugar Cookies are a burst of lemony goodness all wrapped up in a soft, pillowy cookie! Their perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors is sure to make them your new favorite sweet treat!
Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies
A cookie with a zesty little twist! This lemon sugar cookies recipe is a celebration of the magic that unfolds when you infuse traditional sugar cookies with the freshness of tart lemons. The result is a cookie that not only maintains the soft, pillowy texture of its traditional counterpart but also delivers a burst of citrusy flavor with every bite.
Why You’ll Love Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Simple Cookie! Sometimes less is truly more! Made with just a few basic pantry ingredients and no fancy equipment, this cookie recipe proves that simplicity sometimes produces the most yummy results.
- Lemony Goodness! An irresistible combination of sweet and tart flavors. The fresh lemon zest and juice add a delightful tanginess that balances the sweetness of the sugar that’s both refreshing and addictive.
- Crowd Pleaser! Perfect for any occasion! You can serve them at casual gatherings, elegant parties, or even give them as gifts. They are a delicious treat that is always a favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of this lemon sugar cookie recipe, it provides structure and texture.
- Baking Soda: Works as a leavening agent that adds a touch of lightness, which helps to give the cookies their soft texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture. It’s important to use unsalted butter to control the level of salt in the dough.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and provides them with their sugar coating.
- Large Egg: Used as a binding agent that contributes to the structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm aromatic note that complements the fresh lemon flavor.
- Lemon: Both fresh lemon juice and lemon zest contribute a burst of citrusy freshness.
Making homemade cookies is actually pretty easy and so much better than the store-bought stuff! For this easy recipe, all you have to do is make a simple sugar cookie dough and bake!
Make The Dough
To begin, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, and set it aside.
Next, in a separate large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1½ cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and combine until well incorporated.
Finally, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Form The Dough
To start, place a quarter cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Next, use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out 1-inch portions of the cookie dough and shape them into uniform balls. Then roll each one in the sugar until fully coated.
Now, arrange all the cookie balls 2 to 3 inches apart on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Then use your fingers or the bottom of a glass to carefully flatten the balls just slightly.
Bake The Lemon Sugar Cookies
Slide the baking sheets into an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and let the cookies bake for 10 to 12 minutes. When done, they should have lightly golden edges but still be soft and puffy in the middle.
Then remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Now, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I customize my cookies?
You could make lime sugar cookies or orange sugar cookies by using different citrus fruits. Another idea is to press white chocolate chips or nuts into the cookies when they come out of the oven, similar to making peanut butter blossoms. Alternatively, you can drizzle the cookies with the lemon glaze from my lemon loaf recipe.
Can I roll the dough and make cut-out cookies?
This cookie dough is best suited for drop-style cookies, as the dough is softer. So it may not hold shapes well. If you’re looking for cut-out cookies, try a traditional sugar cookies recipe.
Should sugar cookies be hard or soft?
Lemon sugar cookies are soft with a slightly chewy texture. If they turn out too hard, you may have baked them for too long or overmixed the dough.
Expert Tips
- Accurately measure your ingredients. Baking is a science, and precise measurements ensure the best results. A little too much of this or not enough of that can result in a baking mishap.
- Use fresh lemons. Choose ripe, fresh lemons. The vibrant citrus notes of the zest and juice will elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Room temperature ingredients matter. For the best texture, it’s important that both your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps to form a smoother dough.
- Uniform cookie size. Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon for consistent portions. This ensures that all your lemon sugar cookies bake evenly and have the same soft texture.
- Let the cookies sit. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This gives them time to set and helps to prevent them from breaking.
Storage
Your lemon sugar cookies will keep for about a week at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw out at room temperature.
Discover More Delicious Cookie Recipes
- Russian Tea Cakes
- Linzer Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Coconut Macaroons
- Italian Fig Cookies
- Butter Cookies
- Italian Almond Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies
- Danish Butter Cookies
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Place the ¼ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow dish.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, and then roll them in the sugar coating until fully coated.
- Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. Using the bottom of a glass or your fingers, gently flatten the dough balls slightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft and slightly puffy.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Tips & Notes:
- Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. This is key for creaming with sugar to get that light and fluffy texture.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Fresh is best! The zest and juice from fresh lemons give these cookies their bright, zesty flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice for the best taste.
- Cookie Size: If you prefer larger or smaller cookies, adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller cookies will need less time, larger ones a bit more.
- Sugar Coating: For an extra lemony twist, mix a little lemon zest into the sugar coating.
- Storage: These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw and serve!
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment by adding a bit of ginger or almond extract for a different twist.
- Oven Variance: Keep in mind that oven temperatures can vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the cookies a couple of minutes before the timer goes off.
- Cooling Time: Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack is crucial for them to set properly.
