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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in central position and warm to 350°F, line baking sheet with parchment paper for seamless cookie release.
- Creaming Foundation: Thoroughly cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until light, fluffy, and pale yellow, ensuring complete sugar dissolution.
- Moisture Integration: Introduce egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and zest into butter mixture, blending until smooth and aromatic, creating a vibrant liquid base.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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