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
Scale
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.
