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Tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

Tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies


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4.9 from 18 reviews

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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)

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