Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are soft, zesty, and perfectly sweetened with fresh lemon juice and zest. Easy to make and baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful citrus twist on classic sugar cookies, ideal for dessert or a refreshing snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined, ensuring proper leavening and flavor distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create tender cookies.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Add the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, and mix until fully incorporated for bright, citrusy flavor infusion.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms to avoid overworking and toughening the cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll each into a ball, then roll the balls in extra granulated sugar to add a sweet, crunchy coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft for the perfect texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For an extra boost of lemon flavor, add ½ teaspoon of lemon extract to the wet ingredients.
- These cookies freeze well and can be stored in an airtight container to maintain their softness for several days.
- For a sweeter finish, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
