Description
Buttery lemon sugar cookies bring sunshine onto your plate with zesty brightness. Crisp edges and tender middles make these simple treats perfect for afternoon tea or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract (optional, for extra lemon flavor)
Sugar:
- 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by positioning oven racks in the center and heating to 350F (175C), then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and airy, using an electric mixer for about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and fully integrated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a cohesive dough forms to prevent overmixing.
- Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and make rolling easier.
- Shape the chilled dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, then generously coat each ball in granulated sugar for a crisp, sweet exterior.
- Arrange cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges while maintaining soft, tender centers.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Serve warm for maximum enjoyment or store in an airtight container, where cookies will remain fresh for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.
- Use fresh, high-quality lemons for the most vibrant citrus flavor and maximum zest impact.
- For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep the same tender texture.
- Create variation by adding a light lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice for extra tanginess and shine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg