Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe: Bright & Irresistible

Sweet, buttery, and bursting with zesty lemon sugar cookies that dance on your taste buds with every delightful bite.

These sunshine-yellow treats bring a bright spark to your baking routine.

Each cookie promises a perfect balance of tangy citrus and sugary sweetness.

Simple ingredients blend together to create pure magic in your kitchen.

The delicate, crisp edges give way to a soft, tender center that melts instantly.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these irresistible cookies in no time.

Dive into this recipe and let the citrusy charm sweep you off your feet.

Save Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Refrigerator Strategies: Store cookies in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption. Layer cookies between sheets of wax paper to protect their delicate texture.
• Cookie Freezing Techniques: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Label the bag with the date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen dough can be baked directly without thawing, adding 2-3 minutes to the standard baking time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 48 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking to ensure consistent texture and even spreading.
• Smart Serving Tips: Keep cookies at room temperature for maximum flavor and softness. Separate glazed and unglazed cookies to prevent sticking. For best taste, consume within 5-7 days of baking. Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry or crumbly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 7 min

Total Time: 22 min

Calories: 166 kcal

Servings: 22

What Goes in Lemon Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for better texture and subtle wheat flavor.
• Baking Powder: Creates gentle lift and softness, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising potential.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies spread evenly and promotes golden browning, check expiration date for optimal reaction.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation, select high-quality unsalted butter for pure taste.
• Sugar: Creates wonderful caramelization and sweetness, granulated works perfectly for smooth texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use room temperature for seamless mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile, opt for pure extract over artificial versions.

• Lemon Juice: Introduces tangy brightness and slight acidity, fresh-squeezed recommended.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense citrus aroma and concentrated flavor, use microplane for fine, fragrant results.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth glaze with subtle sweetness, sift to prevent lumps.

Tools Required for Lemon Sugar Cookie Baking

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee delicious cookies.
• Baking sheet: Provides even surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes for consistent baking.
• Cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.
• Zester or grater: Needed for extracting fresh lemon zest.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the glaze.
• Whisk or spoon: Helps mix glaze ingredients smoothly.

How to Bake Lemon Sugar Cookies Like a Pro

Sunny Citrus Cookie Adventure

• Oven Warmup

Get your kitchen ready by heating the oven and preparing a cozy baking sheet with parchment paper. This creates the perfect backdrop for your cookie magic.

• Butter Bliss

Whip butter and sugar into a dreamy, fluffy mixture that promises delectable treats. The key is creating a smooth, cloud-like base that will make your cookies irresistible.

• Flavor Fusion

Introduce egg, zesty lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest to your mixture. These ingredients will transform your simple dough into a burst of sunshine on a plate.

• Dry Ingredient Dance

Gently fold in flour and other dry components. Mix just until everything comes together – overmixing can make cookies tough and sad.

• Cookie Crafting

Scoop adorable little dough balls onto your prepared sheet. Space them generously to allow room for spreading and becoming perfectly golden.

• Baking Moment

Slide the sheet into the warm oven. Watch as your cookies transform from pale dough to golden delights in just a few magical minutes.

• Cooling and Glazing

Let cookies rest and cool slightly. Then drizzle with a sparkling lemon glaze that adds a tangy, sweet finish to your creation.

Tip: These cookies love hanging out in an airtight container and stay fresh for about a week. For long-term cookie joy, freeze dough balls and bake straight from frozen.

Lemon Sugar Cookie Variations to Try

• Clever Lemon Sugar Cookie Tricks
• Swap lemon zest with orange or lime zest for a different flavor profile that keeps your taste buds guessing.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and ensure thick, tender cookies with crisp edges.
• Replace lemon juice with milk or cream for a classic sugar cookie glaze, or add a splash of almond extract for subtle depth.
• Roll cookie dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for convenient slice-and-bake treats anytime a sweet craving hits.
• Sprinkle finely chopped pistachios or toasted coconut flakes over the glaze for extra crunch and visual appeal that elevates these simple cookies.

Serving Lemon Sugar Cookies with Style

• Citrus Tea Party Companion: Pair these zesty cookies with a fragrant earl grey or chamomile tea for a delightful afternoon treat that brightens up any gathering.
• Dessert Plate Elegance: Arrange cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves for a stunning visual presentation that elevates the cookie's bright flavor profile.
• Brunch Sidekick: Serve alongside Greek yogurt parfaits or as a sweet complement to a morning brunch spread, adding a cheerful lemon-infused touch to your meal.
• Summer Picnic Delight: Pack these cookies in a cute tin for outdoor gatherings, providing a refreshing sweet bite that captures the essence of sunny days and light, zesty flavors.

Sweet Lemon Sugar Cookies

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 22 min
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Homemade lemon sugar cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Crisp edges and delicate centers make these classic treats irresistible for anyone craving a simple, zesty dessert.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (354 ml) unbleached flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 5 tsps lemon juice
• Drops of vanilla (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in central position and warm to 350°F, line baking sheet with parchment paper for seamless cookie release.
2. Creaming Foundation: Thoroughly cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until light, fluffy, and pale yellow, ensuring complete sugar dissolution.
3. Moisture Integration: Introduce egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and zest into butter mixture, blending until smooth and aromatic, creating a vibrant liquid base.
4. Dry Component Fusion: Gradually fold flour, baking powder, salt, and additional dry ingredients into liquid mixture, stirring gently to form cohesive dough without overmixing, which could compromise cookie texture.
5. Dough Portioning and Arrangement: Scoop uniform dough balls using cookie scoop, placing them evenly across prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing to allow natural spreading during baking.
6. Baking Transformation: Position cookie-laden sheet in preheated oven, bake for 10-12 minutes until edges display subtle golden-brown hints and centers appear set but soft.
7. Cooling and Glazing Finale: Remove cookies from oven, transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, then embellish with luminous lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar and lemon juice until achieving silky, drizzleable consistency.
8. Preservation Strategy: Store cooled, glazed cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze unbaked dough portions for future quick preparation.

Notes

• Zest Strategically: Carefully grate only the bright yellow part of lemon peel to avoid bitter white pith, maximizing citrusy flavor without harsh undertones.
• Butter Matters: Use room temperature butter for seamless blending and optimal cookie texture, ensuring smooth incorporation with sugar.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients until just combined to prevent tough, dense cookies and maintain delicate, tender crumb.
• Glaze Precision: Allow cookies to completely cool before glazing to prevent melting and ensure smooth, glossy finish that sets beautifully.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 7 min
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 58 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg