Description
These lemon sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. With a perfect balance of tangy lemon zest and sweet buttery base, they’re a refreshing twist on the classic sugar cookie.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes to help control spreading.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
- For added flavor, drizzle with lemon glaze or add poppy seeds or white chocolate chips.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- To bake from frozen dough balls, add 1–2 extra minutes to bake time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
