Quick & Zingy Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe – Sweet Bite Bliss

Soft, tangy lemon sugar cookies brighten up any gathering with their zesty charm.

These delightful treats capture the essence of sunshine in every delectable bite.

Crisp edges give way to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center that dances with citrusy sweetness.

Home bakers love how simple ingredients elevate into something magical and irresistible.

The subtle balance between buttery richness and bright lemon notes creates a truly memorable cookie experience.

Subtle hints of citrus elevate this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll find these cookies impossible to resist, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Wake Up to Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Burst with Zesty Flavor: These cookies deliver a bright, refreshing lemon punch that dances across your taste buds with every single bite. The combination of fresh lemon juice and zest creates a vibrant citrus profile that lifts traditional sugar cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness.
• Super Simple Preparation: Home bakers of all skill levels can nail this recipe with minimal effort. The straightforward mixing technique and easy ingredient list mean you'll have delectable cookies ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Texture Paradise: Expect a perfectly balanced cookie with a crisp exterior and wonderfully soft, tender center. The careful baking technique ensures these cookies remain delightfully chewy, never dry or crumbly, making each bite pure cookie perfection.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for summer gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or just satisfying a sweet-tart craving. These lemon sugar cookies work beautifully as a light dessert that appeals to both kids and adults, bringing sunshine to any occasion.

Gather Your Ingredients for Lemon Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple with perfect structure for soft cookies.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Softened butter creates rich, tender cookie base with smooth consistency.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, warm background flavor to complement lemon.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus flavor that adds tangy moisture to cookies.

• Granulated Sugar, Lemon Zest: Creates sweet-tangy coating with vibrant citrus aroma.
• Lemon Zest: Fresh, intense citrus flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.

Rolling and Baking Lemon Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside this powdery mixture for later.

Step 2: Create Buttery Base

In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process takes about 3-4 minutes of steady mixing.

Step 3: Add Zesty Moisture

Incorporate fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and egg into the butter mixture. Blend until everything looks smooth and combined.

Step 4: Infuse Lemon Flavor

Gently fold in lemon zest from two lemons. Mix softly to distribute the citrusy essence throughout the dough.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently after each addition until a soft cookie dough forms.

Step 6: Create Lemon Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, mix remaining sugar with zest from the third lemon. This will create a tangy, sweet exterior for the cookies.

Step 7: Shape Delightful Cookies

Use a cookie scoop to form tablespoon-sized dough balls. Roll each ball in the lemon sugar mixture, ensuring a complete coating.

Step 8: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Place coated dough balls on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 10-11 minutes until tops look dry and small cracks appear. Watch carefully to prevent over-baking.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before serving.

Tips for Zesty Flavor and Soft Texture

• Zest with Precision: Use a microplane or fine grater to extract lemon zest, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Gently roll cookie dough balls in lemon sugar mixture, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor and sparkle.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix dry ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring, helping them set and maintain a soft, chewy texture.

Keeping Lemon Sugar Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled lemon sugar cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and texture preservation.
• Reheat: Bring frozen cookies to room temperature naturally, or warm them gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, delicate texture.

Pairing Ideas for Lemon Cookies

• Brew Refreshing Lemon Iced Tea: Complement these zesty cookies with a chilled glass of homemade lemon iced tea. The bright citrus notes will enhance the cookies' lemony flavor, creating a perfect summer afternoon treat.
• Pair with Creamy Lavender Gelato: Serve these soft lemon sugar cookies alongside a scoop of lavender gelato. The floral undertones of lavender beautifully balance the cookie's tangy lemon essence, offering a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Match with Light Prosecco: Elevate the cookies with a crisp glass of prosecco. The sparkling wine's subtle sweetness and effervescence will cut through the cookie's richness, creating a delightful palate-cleansing combination.
• Enjoy with Herbal Chamomile: Sip on a warm cup of chamomile tea to soften the cookie's citrusy punch. The gentle, soothing herbal notes will provide a calm counterpoint to the zesty lemon flavor.

Variations on Lemon Sugar Cookies

• Lavender Lemon Bliss: Infuse the cookie dough with finely ground dried lavender flowers for a sophisticated, floral undertone that complements the bright lemon flavor.
• Orange Zest Sparkle: Swap lemon zest with orange zest and add a touch of orange extract to create a citrusy alternative that brings a sunny, vibrant profile to the classic sugar cookie.
• Gluten-Free Sunshine: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add a pinch of xanthan gum to maintain the cookie's soft texture while making it accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Almond Lemon Dream: Mix in finely ground almonds or almond flour to the base recipe, creating a nutty dimension that enhances the lemon's tanginess and adds a subtle richness to each bite.

Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful lemon sugar cookies bring zesty sunshine to classic treats. Buttery, tangy goodness melts in your mouth, offering pure baking bliss that whisks you to sweet, citrusy comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Zest from 3 lemons (2 lemons + 1 lemon)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare baking workspace by lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper and warming the oven to 350°F.
2. Craft the dry foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a compact bowl, then set aside.
3. Create a creamy butter base by vigorously beating softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture.
4. Infuse moisture and flavor by incorporating lemon juice, vanilla extract, and egg into the butter mixture, blending until thoroughly combined.
5. Enhance the citrus profile by gently folding freshly grated lemon zest into the wet ingredients.
6. Gradually integrate the reserved dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to form a cohesive cookie dough.
7. Develop a zesty coating by mixing remaining sugar with additional lemon zest in a separate small vessel.
8. Shape the dough into uniform spheres using a cookie scoop, then roll each ball generously in the lemon-sugar mixture.
9. Arrange cookie spheres on prepared sheets, maintaining consistent spacing to allow proper expansion during baking.
10. Bake for 10-11 minutes, watching for subtle surface changes and emerging cracks that indicate perfect doneness.
11. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for a brief cooling period before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Master the art of zesty, soft cookies by carefully handling the dough and avoiding overmixing.
• Ensure butter is perfectly softened at room temperature for optimal texture and even mixing.
• Grate fresh lemon zest directly onto sugar to maximize aromatic citrus oils and flavor intensity.
• Use a light touch when rolling cookies in lemon sugar to create a delicate, crackly exterior.
• Cool cookies completely on the baking sheet to maintain their tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to preserve freshness and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg