Description
Zesty lemon sugar cookies bring sunshine to your kitchen with their tangy, sweet charm. Crisp edges and delicate crumb promise a delightful treat that will brighten any moment you share these delectable morsels.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Fat and Sugar:
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar for rolling
Wet Ingredients and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate egg, additional egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Form dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, generously coating each ball with powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet exterior.
- Arrange sugared dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F, watching for lightly golden edges while maintaining soft, slightly underdone centers.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling and texture setting.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon zest for maximum citrusy flavor and vibrant aroma, ensuring the zest is finely grated to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create a more uniform cookie shape during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.
- Add a delicate lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice for an extra tangy finish that complements the cookie’s sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 153 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg