Lemon Cookies

Soft, chewy, and bursting with zesty flavor, Lemon Cookies are the perfect treat to brighten your day! These delightful cookies, glazed to perfection, offer an irresistible balance of sweetness and tang that makes every bite a little piece of sunshine. The smooth glaze adds an extra layer of glaze, making them not just a treat for your palate but also for your eyes.

When I first whipped up these Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies, I was amazed by how simple it was to summon such fresh flavors in my kitchen. The aroma of lemons enveloped my home, instantly lifting everyone’s spirits. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies work like magic. Once they’re out of the oven, you can’t resist the allure of their warm, comforting scent. So why not give this easy, budget-friendly recipe a shot? I promise, your taste buds will thank you!

How to Make Lemon Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. Here’s a small trick: line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid cleanup later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
3. Combine Sugar and Lemon Zest: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest. Using your fingertips, work the zest into the sugar until fragrant — this step is key to infusing the cookies with lemon flavor.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Add ¾ cup softened unsalted butter to the zest-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed to start, then increase to medium-high until creamy. This process takes about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add Egg Mixture: Beat in 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue mixing on medium speed, scraping down the sides as needed, until thoroughly combined.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. You’ll notice the dough will be fairly firm, which is perfectly normal.
7. Form the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets, 3 inches apart. Bake one pan at a time for 8-10 minutes. When you remove them from the oven, the tops should be slightly puffy and the bottoms lightly golden. Be cautious not to overbake; we want them soft and chewy!
8. Cool Down: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets — this helps them firm up.
9. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until smooth.
10. Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, dip each one into the glaze, hold it upside down for a few seconds to let the excess drip off, and place them back on parchment paper. Let the glaze set, which may take a few hours; you can speed this up by chilling them in the fridge for about an hour.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Lemon Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to extend their life, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks. For long-term storage, wrap the cookies tightly and freeze them for up to three months. Just remember, upon defrosting, they might lose a bit of their original softness but refreshing them can be as simple as warming them briefly in the oven at 300° F for 5-7 minutes.

Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies are not just delicious; they’re a testament to the joy of baking. With their bright flavor and tender texture, you’re sure to enjoy every moment spent making—and eating—these cookies. Feel free to experiment, perhaps adding a bit of poppy seeds or even drizzling with chocolate for a luxe twist. So, roll up those sleeves, bring out the lemons, and create your batch of delectable lemon cookies today! You won’t regret it.

Recipe FAQs

Lemon Cookies

Recipe Author: Margaret

Enjoy the irresistible flavor of Lemon Cookies that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. With fresh lemon zest and a sweet glaze, they are a delightful treat for dessert lovers.

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• Prep Time 30 minutes
• Cook Time 40 minutes
• Yield 32 cookies 1x

Ingredients

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• 2 ¾ cups (330g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest, from 3-4 medium lemons
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, from 1 small lemon
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a stand mixer, combine granulated sugar and lemon zest, mixing until fragrant.
4. Add softened butter to the mixture and beat until creamy. Incorporate the egg, egg yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a firm dough forms.
6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets, spaced 3 inches apart.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until tops are set and bottoms are lightly golden, avoiding overbaking.
8. Cool cookies completely before applying glaze.
9. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Dip each cookie top in the glaze and let excess drip off. Set on parchment to dry.

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Notes

For best results, ensure butter is softened but slightly cool before mixing.
Cookies will flatten as they cool, so do not worry if they appear puffy when taking them out of the oven.
Glaze may take a few hours to set, or you can expedite this by refrigerating the glazed cookies.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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