Zesty Joy: Whip Up Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe Today!

Soft, buttery cookies dance with zesty brightness in this sweet lemon sugar cookies recipe that promises to delight every taste bud.

Tangy citrus notes weave through delicate, crumbly dough, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and brightness.

Each bite bursts with sunshine-like flavor that instantly lifts your mood.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore this simple yet elegant treat.

The combination of bright lemon and delicate sugar creates a cookie that melts in your mouth.

These cookies bring a refreshing twist to traditional sugar cookie classics.

Whip up a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 25

Lemon Sugar Cookies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with the perfect crumbly texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a soft, light interior with a gentle golden exterior.
• Baking Powder: Adds extra lift and ensures cookies are perfectly fluffy and not dense.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy texture and delivers a luxurious depth of flavor to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden exterior when baking.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture for a soft, tender cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, comforting undertones that complement the bright lemon flavors.

• Lemon Zest: Infuses intense, vibrant citrus aroma and adds bright, tangy notes to the cookies.
• Lemon Juice: Intensifies the lemony flavor and adds a subtle tartness to balance the sweetness.
• Lemon Extract: Optional ingredient that amplifies the citrus punch for serious lemon lovers.

Kitchen Essentials For Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Mixing Bowls: Medium and large for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and extracts.
• Baking Sheet: Flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool without getting soggy.
• Zester or Grater: For extracting fresh lemon zest.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping bowl sides and transferring dough.

How To Bake Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Prep the Oven and Workspace

Get your kitchen ready by turning the oven to 350F and laying out a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grab your mixing bowls and baking tools to set up a smooth cookie-making adventure.

• Create the Dough Base

Whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Toss in the egg, zesty lemon bits, citrusy juice, and vanilla for a burst of flavor. Mix until everything looks smooth and inviting.

• Blend Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gently fold the flour mixture into your wet ingredients. Don’t overmix – just combine until everything looks uniform. Pop the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up and let the flavors mingle.

• Shape and Bake Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into little balls, then give them a luxurious sugar bath. Place these sugary spheres on the baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges look golden and crisp.

• Cool and Savor

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. These tangy, sweet treats are perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea. Store in an airtight container and enjoy within 5 days.

Baking Tips For Lemon Sugar Cookies Success

• Zesty Baking Brilliance: Quick tips to elevate your lemon sugar cookies.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerating dough for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading and creates a more structured cookie with deeper flavor complexity.
• Lemon Intensity Boost: Add extra lemon zest or swap regular extract for pure lemon oil to amplify the citrusy punch in every bite.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-safe without compromising texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be prepared and frozen for up to 3 months; simply thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking for fresh, zingy treats anytime.

Fun Serving Ideas For Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Zesty Tea Party Pairing: Serve these lemon sugar cookies alongside a refreshing Earl Grey tea for a delightful afternoon treat that complements the citrusy cookie flavor.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging the cookies with fresh lemon slices, mint leaves, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for visual appeal.
• Summer Picnic Delight: Pack these cookies in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or picnics as a perfect sweet snack that travels well and brings sunshine to any meal.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Magic: Transform these cookies into a cool dessert by sandwiching a scoop of lemon sorbet or vanilla bean ice cream between two cookies for a refreshing summer indulgence.

How To Keep Lemon Sugar Cookies Delicious

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness up to 5 days.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bag for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.
• Cooling Wisdom: Allow cookies to completely cool before stacking to prevent moisture buildup and maintain crisp texture.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance, refrigerate tightly wrapped. Let dough sit at room temperature 15 minutes before rolling and baking for best results.

Sweet Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty lemon sugar cookies blend tangy citrus with sweet comfort in a delightful treat. Crisp edges and delicate centers promise a perfect balance of flavor that will satisfy cookie enthusiasts and brighten any dessert table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2.75 cups (652 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp lemon extract (optional, for extra lemon flavor)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an immaculate surface for your citrusy confections.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined, establishing a robust foundation for your cookies.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture achieves a light, ethereal consistency with a pale, pillowy appearance.
4. Moisture Integration: Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon extracts, blending until the mixture becomes silky smooth and aromatic.
5. Dough Development: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to preserve the cookies’ tender crumb and prevent tough texture.
6. Flavor Melding: Chill the dough for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and the mixture to solidify, simplifying the shaping process.
7. Coating and Shaping: Roll chilled dough into uniform spheres, generously enrobing each in granulated sugar to create a glistening, crisp exterior.
8. Baking Precision: Position sugar-coated balls on the prepared sheet, ensuring ample spacing to prevent merging, then bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain soft.
9. Cooling Protocol: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, maintaining their delicate structure and preserving their pristine texture.
10. Storage Strategy: Preserve these zesty delights in an airtight container, where they will remain fresh and irresistible for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir the dry and wet ingredients gently to maintain a tender, light cookie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Chill for Better Shape: Refrigerating the dough helps cookies hold their shape, intensifies lemon flavor, and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies generously in granulated sugar before baking to create a sparkling, crisp exterior that adds delightful crunch and sweetness.
• Adjust for Dietary Needs: Substitute butter with coconut oil for dairy-free option, or use gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for alternative dietary requirements.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg