Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe: Bright & Sweet Homemade Treats

Sweet lemon sugar cookies bring zesty brightness to classic dessert traditions.

Delightful aromas waft through kitchens when these treats emerge from warm ovens.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a textural symphony that delights taste buds.

Citrusy notes dance playfully against sugary sweetness, reinventing an ordinary cookie into a memorable experience.

Vibrant yellow hints peek through delicate surfaces, promising tangy excitement in every bite.

Simple ingredients combine magically, elevating a familiar favorite into something extraordinary.

Complex yet approachable, these cookies connect comfort with culinary creativity.

You’ll want to share these irresistible morsels with everyone you know.

Why Lemon Sugar Cookies Are a Bright Choice

• Burst of Citrusy Freshness: These lemon sugar cookies deliver a bright, tangy punch that wakes up your taste buds with zesty lemon juice and fragrant lemon zest, creating a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies.
• Super Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up these cookies in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want a delightful treat without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Dessert Companion: Enjoy these cookies as a light afternoon snack, elegant tea-time treat, or sweet ending to a summer gathering, with their delicate glaze and soft texture complementing various occasions and moods.

Everything You Need for Lemon Sugar Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for cookie texture, ensuring a soft and tender base.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie edge.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy citrus flavor to the cookies.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense lemon essence and aromatic oils.

• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a soft, light texture.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and provides additional lift.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for finishing the cookies.

How to Bake Lemon Sugar Cookies to Perfection

Step 1: Prep the Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Cream the Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Blend until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Stir until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Create the Cookie Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Baking soda

Mix just until the ingredients come together.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, form round dough balls. Space them about 1.5 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 7 minutes until edges are slightly golden.

Step 7: Cool Down

Remove from the oven. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to continue cooling.

Step 8: Whip Up the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Optional vanilla drops

Whisk until smooth and silky.

Step 9: Finish with a Drizzle

Generously drizzle the tangy glaze over the cooled cookies.

Tips That Make Lemon Sugar Cookies Even Better

• Zest with Precision: Use a microplane or fine grater to capture only the bright yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath the skin.
• Butter Brilliance: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, allowing it to cream smoothly with sugar for a light, tender cookie texture.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before scooping to prevent spreading and create perfectly shaped cookies.
• Glaze like a Pro: Adjust the glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar or lemon juice until it reaches a smooth, drizzle-able texture that sets beautifully.
• Storage Savvy: Stack cooled cookies between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate lemon flavor when storing.

How to Keep Lemon Sugar Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal cookies in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for maximum freshness, consuming within 5-7 days.
• Freezer Storage: Carefully arrange unglazed cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze up to 3 months for future enjoyment. Thaw at room temperature before adding glaze.
• Reheating Method: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, place cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to refresh their texture and revive the delightful lemon flavor.

What Goes Well with Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: The delicate floral notes of lavender earl grey complement the bright, zesty lemon cookies perfectly. The tea's subtle bergamot flavor cuts through the sweetness, creating a refreshing and elegant pairing.
• Serve with Limoncello Spritz: This Italian cocktail matches the lemony profile of the cookies. The bubbly, citrusy drink enhances the cookie's tangy flavor, making for a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Accompany with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The creamy, smooth vanilla provides a rich contrast to the light, citrusy cookies. Crumble the cookies on top of the ice cream for a delightful texture and flavor combination.
• Match with Chamomile Honey Latte: The smooth, floral notes of chamomile and sweet honey balance the cookie's tartness. This warm, comforting drink creates a soothing contrast to the bright lemon flavor.

Flavor Additions for Lemon Sugar Cookies You’ll Love

• Lavender Lemon Blast: Infuse the cookie dough with dried lavender flowers, creating a floral undertone that complements the bright lemon flavor. Sprinkle crushed lavender buds on top of the glaze for extra aromatics.
• Orange Citrus Crunch: Swap lemon juice and zest with fresh orange ingredients. Add a pinch of orange zest in the glaze and include toasted almond slivers mixed into the dough for added texture.
• Coconut Lemon Paradise: Incorporate shredded unsweetened coconut into the cookie dough. Replace half the powdered sugar in the glaze with coconut powder, giving a tropical spin to the classic recipe.
• Ginger Lemon Zing: Mix finely chopped crystallized ginger into the cookie dough. Create a ginger-infused glaze by adding ground ginger powder to the traditional lemon glaze, offering a spicy-sweet complexity.

Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Lemon sugar cookies deliver a zesty twist on classic comfort. Sweet and tangy notes dance together, creating a delightful treat perfect when craving something refreshingly simple.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups unbleached flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
• 1 large egg

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 5 teaspoons lemon juice
• Drops of vanilla (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal cookie performance.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend softened butter and granulated sugar until achieving a creamy, uniform consistency.
3. Incorporate liquid and aromatic elements: whisk in egg, smooth vanilla extract, vibrant lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest until perfectly integrated.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, introducing flour, leavening agents, and seasoning. Mix cautiously to prevent overworking the dough.
5. Utilize a precise cookie scoop to create uniform dough spheres, strategically spacing them across the prepared baking surface to allow proper expansion.
6. Slide the cookie-laden sheet into the preheated oven and monitor for precisely 7 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges.
7. Extract the baking sheet and allow cookies to rest in their original environment, enabling gradual temperature reduction and structural stabilization.
8. Craft a luminous lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice, achieving a silky, pourable consistency. Optional vanilla drops can enhance complexity.
9. Elegantly drizzle the glossy glaze over cooled cookies, allowing it to set and create a delicate, translucent coating.

Storage recommendation: Preserve in sealed container at ambient temperature for maximum one week. For extended preservation, freeze raw dough portions and adjust baking duration when preparing from frozen state.

Notes

• Maximize lemon flavor by using fresh lemon juice and zest for vibrant, bright taste.
• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature to create smooth, creamy cookie base.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Glaze cookies while slightly warm for better absorption and glossy finish.
• Store in single layer to maintain crisp texture and prevent sticking.
• Freeze unbaked dough balls for quick homemade treats anytime.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg