If you’re searching for a bakery-style cookie that delivers vibrant citrus flavor with just the right touch of sweetness, look no further than Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats. Each bite is a delightful balance between bright, zesty lemon and classic sugar cookie comfort, perfect for sunny days, special occasions, or just because you deserve a treat. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight, yet impressive enough to share with friends and family—get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Lemon Sugar Cookies rely on a handful of everyday pantry staples, elevated by fresh lemon for that signature tang. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating cookies that are chewy, flavorful, and perfectly golden. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and chewiness that sets these cookies apart from the rest.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and develop those irresistible soft centers.
- Baking powder: Adds a touch of lift, ensuring every bite is light and tender.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the fresh lemon flavor.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Gives a rich, creamy base and keeps the cookies moist.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and creates that signature crackly sugar finish when used for rolling.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough together and add a little extra richness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings out the best in both the lemon and sugar, offering a cozy background note.
- Lemon zest: Packs a punch of citrusy brightness—zest only the yellow part for maximum flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds real lemon tang; fresh is key for the ultimate zing.
- Additional granulated sugar (for rolling): Ensures each cookie bakes up with a sparkling, sweet exterior.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only helps prevent sticking but also ensures perfectly golden bottoms and easy cleanup.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step makes sure all your leavening is evenly distributed, so every cookie rises just right and has that tender, chewy bite we all love.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process is key for achieving that classic sugar cookie texture—it incorporates air, which helps the cookies bake up soft and pillowy.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Lemon Zest, and Juice
Next, beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until everything is well combined. The lemon zest and juice infuse the dough with vibrant citrus flavor, making these truly Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Be gentle—overmixing can make the cookies tough, and we want them to stay soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Step 6: Shape and Roll the Dough
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll each piece into a ball. Then, roll each ball in a shallow dish of granulated sugar so every cookie bakes up with a sparkling, sweet exterior.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This little rest helps set the structure so they don’t fall apart.
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats
Garnishes
For an extra burst of lemony goodness, try drizzling your cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze or sprinkle a bit of additional lemon zest on top. A dusting of powdered sugar also looks beautiful and adds a hint of extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or a glass of cold milk. For a special treat, serve them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—the tangy lemon flavor really makes everything pop.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats in mason jars or decorative boxes for a homemade gift. Arrange them on a tiered tray for a festive dessert table, or wrap them individually in parchment and twine for party favors that’ll brighten anyone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to 5 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
To freeze, let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. If you want fresh-baked flavor anytime, freeze unbaked dough balls and thaw before rolling in sugar and baking.
Reheating
If your cookies have been frozen, let them come to room temperature on the counter. For a just-baked taste, warm them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until soft and fragrant—they’ll taste as if they came straight from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest, most vibrant flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, bottled will work. Just know the cookies may not have quite the same zing as Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats made with fresh juice and zest.
How can I make the cookies even more lemony?
For a stronger citrus punch, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a few drops of lemon extract to the dough. You can also experiment with a lemon glaze for another layer of tangy-sweet flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may change slightly, but you’ll still have delicious, lemony cookies to enjoy.
Why do my cookies spread too much in the oven?
If your dough is too warm, the cookies may spread more than desired. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking, especially if your kitchen is warm, to help them hold their shape.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! This recipe easily doubles for parties, bake sales, or gifting. Just make sure to use a large enough mixing bowl and swap baking sheets between batches so they cool slightly between rounds.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a cookie that’s bright, cheerful, and utterly irresistible, give Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats a try. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and sure to become a staple in your baking rotation. Happy baking, and don’t forget to savor every sweet and tangy bite!
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Lemon Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Tangy Treats Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies offer the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, featuring a soft, buttery texture enhanced with fresh lemon zest and juice. Ideal for summer gatherings or gifting, they are easy to make and delightfully refreshing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For Coating
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring that these leavening agents and seasoning are evenly distributed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale – this helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract, freshly grated lemon zest, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just incorporated to prevent overworking the dough and keep cookies tender.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball in additional granulated sugar to give the cookies a sweet, crunchy coating.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a few drops of lemon extract to the dough.
- You can drizzle cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice for extra sweetness and tang.
- These cookies make a perfect gift or refreshing addition to summer parties and picnics.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
