Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe

Lemon sugar cookies radiate sunshine through their zesty, vibrant personality and irresistible charm.

These delightful treats capture the essence of bright, tangy happiness in every delectable bite.

Soft, pillowy textures mingle with sharp citrus notes, creating a symphony of flavor that dances across your palate.

Home bakers adore crafting these simple yet elegant cookies that reinvent ordinary afternoons into moments of pure culinary joy.

Subtle lemon undertones weave through each crumbly, sweet morsel, promising a refreshing escape from traditional cookie recipes.

Delicate frosting adds a luxurious finish that elevates these cookies from pleasant to extraordinary.

The magic happens when simple ingredients combine with a dash of creativity and love.

Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting That Pop with Citrus

• Burst of Citrusy Freshness: These lemon sugar cookies pack a zesty punch that instantly brightens your mood with their vibrant lemon flavor from both juice and zest, creating a refreshing taste that dances on your tongue.
• Super Simple Homemade Delight: With basic ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice bakers can whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous baking adventures or last-minute dessert cravings.
• Texture Perfection Achieved: The cookies offer a delightful combination of crisp edges and soft, tender centers, while the creamy lemon frosting adds a luxurious smooth layer that complements the cookie's delicate crumb.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a summer party, preparing a sweet gift, or simply treating yourself, these cookies work wonderfully for any occasion from casual gatherings to elegant afternoon teas.

Key Ingredients to Bake and Frost Lemon Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and classic cookie texture, choose unbleached for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, crisp cookie edges.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates tender cookie crumb, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides moisture to the cookie dough.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy tang and aromatic notes to the cookies.

• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base with silky texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides creamy foundation for frosting, ensures rich consistency.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting thickness and creates spreadable texture.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Adds vibrant citrus flavor to the creamy frosting.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens frosting flavor.

How to Make Lemon Cookies with Zingy Frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some baking magic.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

Whip until the mixture becomes light and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Eggs
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Stir until everything is perfectly combined and smells wonderfully citrusy.

Step 4: Form the Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend until a smooth dough forms that’s ready to become delicious cookies.

Step 5: Shape and Prep Cookies

Roll the dough into small balls about the size of a tablespoon.

Place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Flatten each ball using a sugar-dipped glass bottom for a perfect shape.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven.

Bake for 9-10 minutes until the cookie bottoms turn a light golden brown.

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up Lemon Frosting

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Adjust Frosting Consistency

If the frosting seems too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time.

For piping, keep it thick.

For spreading, make it slightly softer.

Step 9: Decorate with Flair

Once cookies are completely cool, frost them generously.

For an elegant touch, use a piping bag with a 1M star tip to create beautiful swirls.

Enjoy your tangy, sweet lemon sugar cookies that are sure to brighten anyone’s day!

Tips for Soft Cookies and Tangy Frosting

• Zest with Care: Grate only the bright yellow part of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for pure, vibrant lemon flavor.
• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create perfectly shaped cookies.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Use granulated sugar when flattening cookies to create a sparkling, crisp exterior that adds delightful texture.
• Frosting Consistency: Test frosting thickness by running a spatula through it- if the line holds for a few seconds, you've got the perfect piping consistency.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, beautiful decoration that stays put.

Best Storage for Frosted Lemon Cookies

• Refrigerate: Place cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add frosting before serving.
• Revive: If cookies become slightly hard, warm them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicate texture.

Serving Companions for Citrus-Lovers’ Favorite

• Zesty Tea Companion: Pair these bright lemon sugar cookies with a hot Earl Grey tea. The bergamot notes in the tea complement the citrusy cookie flavor, creating a harmonious taste experience that dances on your palate.
• Creamy Cool Contrast: Serve alongside a chilled glass of limoncello or a light lemon sorbet. These accompaniments enhance the cookie's lemony essence while providing a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, buttery treat.
• Breakfast Bliss Match: Enjoy these cookies with a smooth cappuccino or latte. The rich, creamy coffee balances the cookie's tanginess, making it a delightful morning or afternoon indulgence that feels like a mini celebration.
• Fresh Fruit Pairing: Plate these cookies with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries. The fruit's natural sweetness and slight acidity create a vibrant flavor combination that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Fresh Spins on Lemon Sugar Cookie Classics

• Lavender Lemon Bliss: Infuse the cookie dough with dried lavender flowers for a fragrant, floral undertone that complements the bright lemon flavor. Sprinkle crushed lavender buds on top of the frosting for an elegant finish.
• Almond Lemon Crunch: Mix sliced almonds into the cookie dough for added texture. Replace half the butter in the frosting with almond extract to intensify the nutty flavor. Garnish with toasted almond slivers.
• Raspberry Lemon Swirl: Create a raspberry compote by cooking fresh raspberries with a touch of sugar. Swirl the compote into the frosting before piping, creating a beautiful marbled effect and adding a tangy berry note to the classic lemon cookie.
• Coconut Lemon Paradise: Fold shredded coconut into the cookie dough and roll the cookies in toasted coconut before baking. Incorporate coconut cream into the frosting for a tropical twist that enhances the citrusy base.

Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

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

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Description

Zesty lemon sugar cookies dance with tangy frosting, delivering a sunshine-packed treat straight from Mediterranean kitchens. Delicate crumbly rounds kissed with citrus promise pure refreshment for cookie enthusiasts craving a sweet-tart escape.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened (for frosting)
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1½ teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for frosting)

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 dash salt (for frosting)
• 1 tablespoon milk (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350°F, creating an ideal baking atmosphere.
2. Combine softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing vessel, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous.
3. Introduce eggs, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious mixture.
4. Gradually fold in flour, baking powder, and salt, gently transforming the ingredients into a cohesive dough.
5. Shape the dough into petite spheres, each approximately the size of a tablespoon, and distribute them across a lightly greased baking surface.
6. Delicately press each dough ball using a sugar-coated glass bottom, creating a gentle, flattened profile.
7. Place the prepared cookie sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges develop a subtle golden hue.
8. After removing from the oven, let the cookies rest momentarily on the baking sheet to stabilize their structure.
9. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely.
10. For the frosting, whip softened butter with powdered sugar, integrating salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
11. Adjust the frosting’s texture by incorporating milk, creating either a thick piping consistency or a spreadable variant.
12. Once cookies have cooled entirely, embellish with the lemon-infused frosting, using a decorative piping technique for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Zesty Lemon Trick: Grate the lemon zest before juicing to maximize flavor extraction and ensure you get the most aromatic citrus essence in your cookies.
• Butter Softening Secret: Allow butter to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy texture for seamless mixing.
• Baking Precision: Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent over-browning and ensure even cookie coloration.
• Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set their structure before transferring to a wire rack.
• Frosting Consistency Hack: Adjust frosting thickness by adding milk gradually – less liquid for piping, more for spreading.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for future baking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg