Description
Delight in these bright and tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies, perfect for a refreshing twist on a classic treat. Soft and buttery with a zesty lemon flavor, these cookies are topped with a luscious lemon glaze that adds a sweet and citrusy finish, ideal for any occasion or a sunny afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- A few drops vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring a light texture for your cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly to blend all flavors evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape Cookies: Using a spoon, scoop 1 tablespoon portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie 1.5 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7 minutes or until the edges start to set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: While cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and optional vanilla extract until smooth to create a sweet, tangy glaze.
- Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cookies and allow it to set completely before serving, adding a refreshing, zesty finish.
Notes
- For enhanced lemon flavor, use freshly grated lemon zest instead of dried.
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, to maintain cookie texture.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be soft when removed from oven.
- Glaze can be stored in refrigerator and reapplied if cookies are stored longer.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze before glazing and glaze after thawing.
