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If you’re craving a bright, zesty treat that brings sunshine to your day, the Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe is here to brighten your baking adventures. These cookies balance the perfect burst of citrusy lemon with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that feels both comforting and delightfully fresh. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these lemon sugar cookies are the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, classic, and fresh—each ingredient in this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the tang of lemon zest to the smooth richness of butter, every item is essential for these cookies to shine.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for soft yet sturdy cookies that hold their shape.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Gives a gentle lift so your cookies are light and airy rather than dense.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors by balancing the sweetness and highlighting the lemon.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and tenderness, making these cookies irresistibly soft.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens just right and helps create that classic sugar cookie texture.
- 1 large egg (room temperature): Binds everything together while contributing to a chewy, chewy but tender bite.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Packs a fragrant, natural lemon oil punch for fresh citrus flavor.
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice: Provides bright acidity that makes each cookie taste vibrant and refreshing.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly heated and ready when your dough is mixed. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until combined—this dry blend is the foundation for your cookies’ delightful texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming step is key because it creates air pockets that help your cookies rise beautifully while keeping them soft.
Step 3: Add Egg, Lemon Zest, and Juice
Next, mix the egg, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice into your creamed butter and sugar until everything is fully incorporated. This is when the cookie dough starts to come alive with vibrant lemon flavor and smooth texture.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold your dry flour mixture into the wet lemon mixture, stirring just enough so everything is combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle mixing will keep them tender and soft.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Space the dough portions evenly to allow for spreading. Bake in your preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, watching for edges that turn lightly golden while centers remain soft and slightly puffy.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool. This helps them set without becoming soggy and keeps their perfect texture intact. They’ll smell irresistible while cooling, so be prepared for some serious temptation!
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are stunning on their own, sprinkling a bit of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of lemon glaze on top adds an extra touch of elegance and sweetness. A small edible flower or a tiny zest twist makes for a charming presentation when serving guests.
Side Dishes
Lemon sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, a cold glass of milk, or even a fresh fruit salad. Their citrus brightness cuts through richer desserts or creamy drinks, making each bite a refreshing palate cleanser.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few lemon sugar cookies with a dollop of lemon-infused cream cheese frosting between them for a quick cookie sandwich. Or arrange them on a pretty platter with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves to make a visually stunning dessert spread that’s as inviting as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe fresh and soft, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to maintain that perfect chewy bite, place a slice of bread inside the container—it helps keep the cookies moist.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray, freezing until firm, and then transferring to a freezer bag. This allows you to bake fresh cookies whenever a lemony craving strikes! Baked cookies also freeze well for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warm cookies after storage, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds. This revives their softness and enhances the lemon aroma delightfully.
FAQs
Can I use lemon extract instead of fresh lemon juice?
Yes, lemon extract can be used if fresh lemon juice isn’t available, but use it sparingly since it’s more concentrated. Around 1 teaspoon of lemon extract can replace the 2 tablespoons of fresh juice for that lemony flavor.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make the Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure, and you might need to slightly adjust baking times as gluten-free dough behaves differently.
Can these cookies be made vegan?
With some adaptations, yes! Replace butter with a vegan butter alternative and the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed egg substitute. The lemon flavor will stay just as bright, but the texture might be a little different, usually softer or crumblier.
Should the butter be salted or unsalted?
It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness in the recipe. The recipe already calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt, which balances the sweetness and enhances the lemon flavor perfectly.
Can I add other flavors to these cookies?
Definitely! Adding poppy seeds or a touch of vanilla extract can add depth and interest to the cookies. Just remember, the lemon flavor is the star, so subtle additions work best to complement rather than overpower it.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly joyful about making and sharing this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe. Each bite delivers that perfect mix of zesty brightness and soft sweetness, making it a recipe that feels like a warm hug wrapped in sunshine. I truly hope you’ll give this a try soon and add a little lemony happiness to your cookie jar!
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Print
Delicious 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
Delightfully soft and tangy lemon sugar cookies that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. These cookies combine a buttery base with fresh lemon zest and juice for a refreshing citrus flavor balanced by a sweet sugar coating.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a tender cookie.
- Add Egg and Lemon: Beat in the room temperature egg, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, infusing the batter with citrus flavor.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, spacing them adequately to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft for the perfect texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before serving or storing, allowing them to set properly.
Notes
- Using room temperature egg ensures it blends smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture.
- Do not over-mix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- If you prefer crisper cookies, bake a minute or two longer, watching closely to avoid burning.
- For extra lemon flavor, sprinkle a little sugar mixed with lemon zest on top before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
