Description
Delightful Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies dance with zesty brightness, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience that balances tangy citrus and rich cream cheese. Creamy, delicate treats bring Mediterranean sunshine to cookie lovers, offering pure bliss in each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Cream softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency.
- Incorporate egg, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, blending until the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
- In a separate container, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Prepare baking sheets lined with parchment paper, creating uniform cookie portions using a tablespoon measure and spacing them approximately two inches apart.
- Gently flatten each cookie mound using the back of a spoon to create a slightly rounded shape for even baking.
- Position the baking sheets in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and a slightly underbaked appearance on top.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize their structure before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Prepare the lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice as needed for desired texture.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, drizzle or spread the lemon glaze across the surface.
- Let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes to achieve a delicate, glossy finish before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for the smoothest, most uniform cookie texture.
- Grate fresh lemon zest instead of using dried alternatives to maximize vibrant citrus flavor and aromatic intensity.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender, soft results.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg