Description
Irresistible lemon oatmeal no-bake cookies deliver a zesty twist on classic comfort treats. Quick and effortless preparation makes these tangy delights perfect for summer dessert cravings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Base):
- 3 cups quick oats
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¼ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract (optional, for stronger flavor)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
- Drizzle of melted white chocolate
- Additional lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet to provide a clean surface for cookie placement.
- Combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
- Increase heat and allow the mixture to reach a rolling boil, continuously stirring for precisely one minute to ensure proper consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, lemon extract, fresh lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest, creating a bright and aromatic base.
- Gently fold in rolled oats and salt, ensuring thorough and even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Utilize a spoon or cookie scoop to carefully deposit uniform dollops of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, lightly pressing each cookie to create a slightly flattened shape.
- Allow the cookies to naturally set and solidify at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, or expedite the process by placing them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- For an elegant finishing touch, delicately drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle additional lemon zest to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Swap traditional white sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index option that adds subtle caramel undertones.
- Add shredded coconut or chopped nuts like almonds for extra texture and nutritional boost without compromising the lemon flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free rolled oats to transform this recipe into a celiac-friendly treat that maintains the same delightful tangy sweetness.
- Reduce sugar content by substituting part of the granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a more diabetic-friendly version that still delivers incredible zesty flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg