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Sweet Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sweet Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Classic lemon sugar cookies blend zesty citrus with sweet simplicity. Crisp edges and tender centers invite bakers to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp lemon extract (optional, for extra lemon flavor)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and warm to 350F (175C), then line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
  2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until perfectly combined and lump-free.
  3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the texture becomes pale, fluffy, and substantially increased in volume.
  4. Flavor Integration: Fold egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract into butter mixture, blending until smooth and homogeneous.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet components, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development and maintain tender texture.
  6. Chill and Prepare: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to intensify flavors and facilitate easier shaping, then roll into uniform 1-inch spheres.
  7. Sugar Coating: Generously roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, ensuring a crisp, sparkling exterior that caramelizes during baking.
  8. Baking Process: Arrange sugar-coated cookies on prepared sheet, spacing 2 inches apart, and bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden while centers remain soft.
  9. Cooling and Serving: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, transfer to wire rack, and enjoy warm or store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate for exactly 30 minutes to develop rich lemon flavor and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Handle Zesting Carefully: Use only the bright yellow outer layer of lemon peel, avoiding bitter white pith for pure, clean citrus notes.
  • Prevent Overmixing: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture, stopping just when the dough comes together to maintain tender cookie texture.
  • Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookie balls generously in granulated sugar before baking to create a delightful crisp exterior and sparkling finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg