Imagine biting into a tender, buttery cookie bursting with real citrus flavor — that’s what makes this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe an instant favorite. These cookies are soft, slightly chewy, and brimming with fresh lemon zest and juice, giving each bite a bright, sunshiney twist that absolutely sings. Perfect for dessert trays, afternoon snacking, or anytime you need a bit of cheer, this is the kind of recipe you’ll want to bake on repeat. Trust me, your kitchen will smell heavenly, and friends will be begging for the secret!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about this recipe is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something truly special. Each item in this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe has a purpose — from moisture and softness to zippy flavor and a sparkling finish.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing the ideal structure and softness.
- Baking soda: Gives just enough lift for a light, tender texture that stays chewy.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and perfectly balances the sweetness and lemony tang.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Keeps the cookies rich and buttery, with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and, when used for rolling, adds a beautiful sparkle and crunch.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for softness.
- Fresh lemon juice: Floods the dough with real citrus zing, making every bite bright and flavorful.
- Lemon zest: Packs in that pure lemon aroma you smell the moment you break a cookie open.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors, giving each cookie that classic, homey undertone.
- Additional granulated sugar (for rolling): Coating the dough balls creates a crackly, sweet exterior that’s irresistibly pretty and delicious.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s hot and ready by the time your dough is mixed. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper — this makes for easy cleanup and keeps your cookies from sticking or over-browning.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures your cookies bake up evenly, with just the right lift and tender, soft crumb.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a mixer for about 2 to 3 minutes. You’re looking for the mixture to get light, pale, and fluffy — a trick that helps create tender cookies with those perfect little cracks.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Now mix in the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. This is where the Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe comes to life: the bright citrus mixes with buttery richness for a dough that already smells out-of-this-world good!
Step 5: Combine and Mix
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Don’t over-mix here — just enough so everything comes together into a soft, scoopable dough that’s a little sticky and totally irresistible.
Step 6: Shape and Roll
Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each one in the extra granulated sugar. This quick step is so satisfying and gives every cookie that sparkling, bakery-style look.
Step 7: Flatten and Bake
Space the dough balls 2 inches apart on your baking sheets. Gently flatten each with the bottom of a glass or your palm (no need to squash them — just a little press!). Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers look soft and just barely golden.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. This helps them set up perfectly so they’re soft but sturdy — ready for nibbling with tea or sharing with friends!
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar, or a few extra curls of lemon zest for a burst of color and aroma right before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of lemon glaze makes them irresistibly pretty!
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies with a pot of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, or use them as a sunny, refreshing finish after a heavier meal. They’re also lovely paired with a scoop of vanilla or lemon ice cream for a simple, stunning dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies and tie them with baker’s twine for sweet edible gifts, or layer them in a tall glass jar for a colorful treat table centerpiece. Arrange on a pretty platter with sprigs of mint or edible flowers for a party-ready touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay wonderfully soft and chewy for up to 5 days — if they last that long!
Freezing
The unbaked dough balls freeze beautifully: place them on a sheet tray to freeze solid, then store in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding just a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen in layers separated by parchment.
Reheating
If you like your cookies warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or give them a quick zap in the microwave for that just-baked aroma and irresistibly gooey middle.
FAQs
How do I make my Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe extra lemony?
For even more citrus punch, simply add a few drops of lemon extract or an extra teaspoon of fresh zest. You can also try a sprinkle of candied lemon peel for a fun twist.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice always gives the brightest, truest flavor, but in a pinch, bottled will work. You might want to bump up the zest to help with that authentic citrus taste.
Why did my cookies turn out too flat or thin?
Over-mixed dough or butter that’s too warm can lead to flat cookies. Make sure your butter is just softened (not melty), and don’t overwork the dough once you add the dry ingredients.
Can I add mix-ins like white chocolate or poppy seeds?
Absolutely! White chocolate chips or a tablespoon of poppy seeds complement the lemon so well. Just fold them into the finished dough before baking.
Is it possible to make the Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe gluten-free?
You can try swapping in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — just keep an eye on the texture, as you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something utterly comforting and joyful about this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe — it’s sunshine in every bite! I can’t wait for you to bring these cookies to your table and see just how quickly they disappear. Happy baking!
Print
Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a burst of citrus flavor. Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, they are sure to become a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup additional granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Combine and Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Scoop the dough into balls and roll them in granulated sugar.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the baking sheets, flatten them, and bake for 9–11 minutes until set.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract or an extra teaspoon of zest.
- These cookies freeze well and stay soft for several days in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
