Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies with Tangy Frosting Recipe

Sweet, buttery cookies dance with bright lemon sugar cookies with lemon frosting that burst with zesty sunshine.

Soft, pillowy edges melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.

The tangy frosting adds a creamy layer of citrusy goodness to these irresistible treats.

Simple ingredients come together to create a bakery-worthy dessert that sparkles with lemony charm.

These cookies blend classic sweetness with a refreshing twist that leaves everyone wanting more.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles light up around the kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes (plus cooling time)

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients You’ll Need for Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture with its fine, powdery composition. Choose unbleached flour for a more natural flavor.
• Baking Powder: The magical rising agent that helps cookies become light and fluffy. Ensure it's fresh by checking the expiration date for maximum lift.
• Salt: A flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and brings out the lemony brightness. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Butter: The creamy base that creates richness and tender texture. Select high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds moisture and helps cookies hold together. Choose fresh, large eggs at room temperature for best results.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Zesty flavor bombs that infuse bright, citrusy notes throughout the cookie. Use fresh lemons for the most vibrant taste and maximum aromatic oils.

• Powdered Sugar: The silky sweetener that creates smooth, spreadable frosting. Sift to remove any lumps for a perfect texture.
• Milk: Optional liquid to adjust frosting consistency, making it more spreadable or piping-friendly. Use whole milk for richer flavor.

Baking Tools for Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs, and whipping up smooth frosting.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining ingredients and preparing cookie dough and frosting.
• Baking Sheets: Non-stick surfaces for evenly baking your delicious cookies.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool down quickly and maintain their crisp texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure your cookies turn out just right.
• Piping Bag and 1M Star Tip: Optional but great for creating beautiful, swirled frosting decorations.
• Zester or Grater: Helps extract fresh lemon zest for maximum citrus flavor.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping down bowl sides and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
• Glass: Helps flatten cookie dough balls with a sugar-dipped bottom.

Instructions for Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• Butter and Sugar Blend

Grab your mixer and whip softened butter with sugar until it’s fluffy and cloud-like, creating a creamy base that promises deliciousness.

• Zesty Liquid Fusion

Pour in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle zesty lemon shavings, mixing until everything comes together in a bright, sunny blend.

• Flour Power

Gently fold in dry ingredients, turning the mixture into a soft, pliable dough that hints at the delectable treats to come.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small rounds of dough, placing them on a baking sheet and giving each a gentle press with a sugar-dipped glass to create perfect little circles.

• Golden Baking

Slide the cookie sheet into a warm oven, watching for those delicate golden edges that signal perfectly baked cookies. Let them rest briefly after emerging from the heat.

• Dreamy Lemon Topping

Whip butter and powdered sugar into a silky smooth frosting, infusing it with bright lemon essence. Swirl the creamy mixture atop completely cooled cookies using a star-tipped piping bag for a professional touch.

Tips to Improve Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• Intensify the lemon flavor by using Meyer lemons, which offer a sweeter, more complex citrus profile compared to regular lemons.
• Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create a more uniform, elegant cookie shape.
• Sprinkle finely grated lemon zest or crushed candied lemon peel on top of the frosted cookies for a stunning visual and flavor enhancement.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.

How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• Sunny Brunch Companion: Perfect alongside a freshly squeezed orange juice or a light chamomile tea, these zesty cookies bring a bright morning sparkle to your weekend gathering.
• Summer Tea Party Delight: Arrange these lemony treats on a delicate china plate for an elegant afternoon tea, complementing light sandwiches and scones with their vibrant citrus flavor.
• Dessert Platter Star: Create a stunning dessert display by mixing these lemon sugar cookies with other pastel-colored treats like lavender shortbread or raspberry macarons for a gorgeous sweet spread that'll impress guests.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a cheerful yellow ribbon, making them a delightful homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or friends who love a sweet citrusy treat.

How to Store Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

• Cookie Freshness Corner: Store these zesty delights in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delectable with a layer of parchment paper between each cookie.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Unbaked cookie dough balls can be frozen for 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet, freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking and refrigerate. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling and baking to ensure perfect texture.
• Frosting Finesse: Refrigerate leftover frosted cookies in a sealed container for 3-4 days. For best taste and texture, allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving, which helps restore their delightful softness and vibrant lemon flavor.

Tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes (plus cooling time)
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade lemon sugar cookies with lemon frosting promise a zesty delight that balances sweet and tangy flavors. Delicate crumbly cookies topped with creamy lemon glaze will refresh palates and spark memories of sunny afternoons.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 2 eggs
• 0.75 cup (170 g) butter, softened
• 0.5 cup (115 g) butter, softened (for frosting)
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• 1.5 tsps lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (for frosting)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 dash salt (for frosting)
• 1 tbsp milk (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a perfect baking environment for delicate lemon cookies.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Whip softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Blend in eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest, ensuring a vibrant and zesty flavor profile throughout the mixture.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gently fold flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, forming a cohesive and pliable cookie dough.
5. Shape and Prepare Cookies: Roll dough into small tablespoon-sized spheres, placing them on a lightly greased baking sheet and flattening each with a sugar-coated glass bottom.
6. Bake to Perfection: Slide the cookie sheet into the preheated oven, baking for 9-10 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown.
7. Cool and Set: Remove cookies from the oven, allowing them to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
8. Create Lemon Frosting: Whip butter with powdered sugar, integrating salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
9. Finish and Decorate: Adjust frosting texture with milk, then artfully pipe or spread the lemon frosting onto completely cooled cookies for a stunning final presentation.

Notes

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape during baking.
• Zest Selection: Use fresh, organic lemons for maximum flavor intensity and vibrant citrus notes in both cookies and frosting.
• Frosting Consistency: Control the milk quantity carefully to achieve your desired frosting texture – less milk for piping, more for smooth spreading.
• Storage Secret: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to preserve their delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg