Description
Zesty lemon cookies bring sunshine to your kitchen with their delightful citrus charm. Crisp edges, tender centers, and a perfect balance of sweetness make these treats irresistible for anyone craving a refreshing dessert you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Lemon Flavoring:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and develops a fluffy texture, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate egg, fresh lemon juice, vibrant lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until ingredients are seamlessly integrated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing delicately to form a cohesive dough. Exercise caution to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough cookies.
- Craft uniform cookie portions by scooping tablespoon-sized dough and rolling into smooth balls. Generously coat each ball in powdered sugar for a delightful sweet exterior.
- Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining a 2-inch spacing to allow proper spreading during baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges become firm and tops develop subtle cracking.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. The result: delectable lemon cookies ready to be savored.
Notes
- Swap unsalted butter with plant-based butter for a dairy-free version that maintains the cookie’s delicate texture and rich flavor.
- Enhance lemon intensity by adding an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or brushing warm cookies with a light lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice.
- Prevent cookies from spreading too much by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking, which helps maintain their perfect round shape and prevents excessive flattening.
- Create gluten-free cookies by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same tender crumb and zesty lemon profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg