Bursting with bright citrus flavor and tender crumb, this Lemon Cookies Recipe is a true delight for anyone who loves a perfect balance of zesty and sweet. These cookies are easy to make, wonderfully soft with just a hint of crispness on the edges, and infused with fresh lemon juice and zest that bring a sunny, aromatic pop to every bite. Whether for an afternoon treat or a charming addition to your dessert spread, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for a refreshing homemade cookie experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients are simple but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and vibrant lemon flavor that makes these cookies so special. From the richness of butter to the citrus brightness of lemon zest, every component works together harmoniously.
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour: Provides structure and chewiness for that satisfying bite.
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent to keep the cookies light.
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda: Contributes additional lift and helps with browning.
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt: Enhances overall flavor and keeps sweetness balanced.
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for a rich, tender cookie texture.
- 1 cup Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a lovely golden color.
- 1 large Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together perfectly.
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice: Infuses the dough with fresh, bright lemon flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest: Intensifies the citrus burst in every cookie.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract: Complements the lemon flavor with subtle warmth.
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional): Adds a pretty, sweet finishing touch.
How to Make Lemon Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare your dough, so your cookies bake evenly and come out just right.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This combines your leavening agents and seasoning evenly throughout, setting the stage for a uniform cookie texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy and light in color—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step creates a tender crumb by incorporating air into the fat and sugar.
Step 4: Add the Flavorful Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until everything is well combined. This is where your cookies really start to take on that enticing lemon aroma.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies can become dense instead of soft and tender.
Step 6: Shape Dough Balls
Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. If you like, gently flatten the dough balls slightly to help the cookies bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color. This signals that they are perfectly baked—soft in the middle with a delicate crisp around the edges.
Step 8: Cool and Finish
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet finish that looks as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Lemon Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling powdered sugar adds a lovely snowy touch and enhances their sweet-tart appeal. For a bit of extra flair, try topping with thin lemon slices or a light glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar for a glossy finish that intensifies the citrus experience.
Side Dishes
These lemon cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, a glass of cold milk, or even a refreshing lemonade. Their bright flavor also makes them a fantastic match alongside fruit salads or light cheesecakes when serving dessert at gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a colorful platter and garnish with fresh mint or edible flowers to create a vibrant display. You can even sandwich two cookies together with a lemon-flavored cream cheese frosting for an irresistible twist on the classic cookie.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover lemon cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay nice and soft for up to 4 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead or enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
To freeze, lay the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy fresh-baked lemon delights anytime you wish.
Reheating
Warm frozen or stored cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes to refresh their softness and bring back that freshly baked aroma. This little step makes them taste freshly made in a flash.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While fresh lemon juice provides the brightest, most vibrant flavor, bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch. Just be sure to choose a high-quality juice without added preservatives for the best taste.
What if I don’t have lemon zest?
If you don’t have lemon zest, you can substitute with a little extra lemon juice, but the cookies won’t have quite the same intense citrus aroma. Grated lime zest works as an interesting alternative too!
How can I make these cookies more chewy?
To increase chewiness, you can add a tablespoon of honey or replace part of the flour with cornstarch. Also, slightly underbaking the cookies and allowing them to cool on the sheet helps retain softness.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This specific Lemon Cookies Recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make a gluten-free version, experiment with a gluten-free blend that measures similarly to regular flour.
Can I add poppy seeds or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Adding a tablespoon or two of poppy seeds complements the lemon flavor beautifully. You could also try white chocolate chips or finely chopped nuts for texture and richness.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the comforting joy of baking and sharing these bright, luscious lemon cookies. This Lemon Cookies Recipe is approachable, rewarding, and guaranteed to brighten your day with every bite. Give it a try, and soon these zesty treats will feel like an old friend in your kitchen!
Print
Lemon Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made with a blend of lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Ideal for a refreshing treat, they’re easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection in just 12 minutes.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour (Provides structure and chewiness.)
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder (Acts as a leavening agent.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda (Contributes to leavening.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Enhances overall flavor.)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened (Essential for a rich, tender cookie.)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar (Provides sweetness and color.)
- 1 large Egg (Acts as a binder.)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice (Infuses cookies with lemon flavor.)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest (Intensifies citrus flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (Complements the lemon flavor.)
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting (Optional for finishing touch.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agents and salt uniformly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for the cookie’s tender texture.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Beat in the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until well combined, ensuring the dough develops a fresh, citrusy aroma.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Scoop Dough: Drop rounded balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Flatten Dough: Optionally, press the cookie dough balls down slightly to encourage even baking and a more traditional cookie shape.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating that they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
- Optional Finishing Touch: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet finish that enhances their lemon flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix once the flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
- You can store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Optional powdered sugar adds garnish but can be omitted if preferred.
