Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe for a Fresh Treat
Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies are bright, refreshing, and full of citrus flavor, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. These soft and chewy cookies have a hint of lemon zest and are topped with a sweet sugar coating. A delightful treat for any occasion, especially when you crave something light and refreshing!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Form the Cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each dough ball in the extra sugar to coat it evenly.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Enjoy the cookies once they have cooled, or store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- If you like a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest.
- For a fun variation, you can drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze (mix powdered sugar and lemon juice).
- These cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
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