...
Go Back
–+ servings
lemon sugar cookies

Best Lemon Sugar Cookies

5 from 1 vote
These bright, soft, and chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies are loaded with fresh citrus flavor and topped with a tangy powdered sugar glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 145
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened Room temperature for easy creaming
  • 1 cup granulated sugar For rubbing with zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest Wash lemons before zesting
  • 1 large egg Room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Freshly squeezed only
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Pure extract preferred
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour Spoon and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder Check for freshness
  • ¼ teaspoon salt Fine sea salt works best
  • 1 cup powdered sugar Sifted for the glaze
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice For the glaze

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing bowls For wet and dry ingredients
  • 1 hand mixer To cream the butter
  • 1 Cookie scoop For even portioning
  • 1 Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper
  • 1 Wire rack For cooling the cookies

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the granulated sugar and fresh lemon zest in a bowl, rubbing them together until fragrant and pale yellow.
    rubbing lemon zest into sugar
  3. Add the softened unsalted butter and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  4. Mix in the room temperature egg, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
    mixing wet ingredients for lemon cookies
  5. Fold in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined without overmixing.
  6. Scoop the dough onto the lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for twenty minutes.
  7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden but the centers remain soft.
    freshly baked lemon cookies on pan
  8. Whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice together, then spoon the smooth glaze over the cooled cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 45gCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1.5gFat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 3.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 65mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.6mg

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Do not skip chilling the dough, as it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!