If you love bright, zesty flavors wrapped in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat, then this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies perfectly balance that fresh lemon tang with a sweet sugar crust, creating a delightful bite that feels like sunshine on a plate. They’re wonderfully simple yet irresistibly flavorful, making them an ideal choice for whipping up a batch anytime you need a little pick-me-up or a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a starring role, blending together to create its tender texture and vibrant lemony flavor. These are simple pantry staples that come together without fuss, ensuring your cookies turn out luscious and perfect every time.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and soft crumb of the cookies, keeping them tender but sturdy enough to hold their shape.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Acts as a gentle leavening agent to give the cookies a light lift without puffing them up too much.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially the lemon, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Gives richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture, plus it helps carry the lemon flavor.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch when rolling the dough balls before baking.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to a soft, chewy interior.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds subtle warmth and depth that complement the citrus notes.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: This is the heart of the recipe, providing fresh, tangy brightness you can taste in every bite.
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest: Packs in fragrant oils and intense lemon flavor, layering the citrus punch.
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling: Creates a sweet, sparkly coating that gives a wonderful crunch and beautiful presentation.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—this keeps your cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This simple mix sets the stage for a perfectly balanced cookie base.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they become light and fluffy. This step, done for about 2 to 3 minutes, is crucial because it incorporates air, ensuring your cookies have that tender, delightful texture you crave.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest with the creamed butter and sugar. These wet ingredients come together to create a fragrant and flavorful dough that sings with every lemony note.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix here; you want your cookies tender, not tough.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into neat balls. Then, generously roll each ball in extra granulated sugar. This coating not only adds an enticing crunch but also gives your cookies a sparkling finish that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. Space the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 6: Flatten and Bake
Gently flatten each sugar-coated ball with the bottom of a glass—you’ll see the perfect round cookie shape emerge. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, keeping an eye out for the edges to just start turning a lovely golden hue. This gentle browning is your cue that the cookies are perfectly baked and ready to cool.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, giving them time to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures they finish firming up while staying soft inside, delivering that perfect texture.
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of elegance and flavor, try sprinkling a little finely grated lemon zest or decorating with edible flowers on your cooled cookies. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a lovely contrast and extra sweetness if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
These lemon sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, especially green or chamomile, which complements the citrus without overpowering it. They also make a refreshing side for fresh fruit salads or a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert parties.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming gift or party display, stack these cookies in colorful boxes lined with parchment paper or wrap them individually with a bright ribbon. You might also sandwich two cookies together with a lemon cream cheese filling for an irresistible twist that’ll wow your friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have cookies left after the initial batch, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their softness and fresh lemon flavor. Keeping them sealed well prevents drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking or freeze the baked cookies. For dough, freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months—bake straight from frozen but add a couple of extra minutes to baking time. For baked cookies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag, then thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly-baked warmth, pop your cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Reheating gently revives their softness and intensifies the lemon aroma.
FAQs
Can I use lemon extract instead of fresh lemon juice in this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Lemon extract can be used to boost the lemon flavor, especially when fresh lemons aren’t available. Start with a quarter to half a teaspoon and adjust to taste, keeping in mind it’s more concentrated than fresh juice.
How do I make these cookies more crispy if I prefer crunchier texture?
If you like a crispier cookie, try baking them a minute or two longer until the edges are golden and the centers feel set. Just watch carefully so they don’t overbake and become too hard.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Just ensure that your baking soda and other ingredients are gluten-free as well for safe results.
Can I add other flavors, like poppy seeds or white chocolate, to this recipe?
Definitely! Adding a tablespoon of poppy seeds gives a delightful crunch and an extra layer of flavor, while white chocolate chips can provide creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with lemon. Mix them into the dough before rolling.
Do these cookies keep well for gifting or events?
Yes, they do! Stored properly in airtight containers, these lemon sugar cookies stay fresh for several days, making them perfect for prepping ahead for gifts or gatherings without losing flavor or texture.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe is truly a little burst of joy in cookie form. I encourage you to try making these delightful treats—they’re straightforward, full of fresh lemon goodness, and capable of brightening up any moment. Once you taste them, I have a feeling they’ll become a go-to favorite just like they are for me!
Print
Lemon Sugar 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 Sugar Cookies are soft, tangy, and sweet, perfectly balanced with fresh lemon juice and zest. They are easy to make and ideal for an everyday dessert or a special occasion treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Additional
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This creates the light texture of the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until fully incorporated, providing the cookies with a fresh citrus flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll the balls in extra granulated sugar for a sweet, slightly crunchy coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass to ensure even thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn a golden color, indicating they are done.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
Notes
- For an enhanced lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract to the wet ingredients.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
