These Lemon Sugar Cookies are bright, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! With a zesty lemon flavor, they’re perfect for any cookie lover. Plus, they’re super easy to make!
I love watching them bake and fill my kitchen with that lovely lemon scent. I can’t help but sneak a cookie while they’re still warm—it’s the best treat! 🍋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is your base for the cookies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend can work well, but the texture may vary slightly.
Unsalted Butter: Fresh, softened butter gives the cookies a rich flavor. If you’re out of butter, you can substitute with coconut oil or margarine, but keep in mind that the taste and texture may shift a bit.
Lemon Zest and Juice: Freshness is key! Zest from organic lemons makes a huge difference. If fresh lemons aren’t available, bottled lemon juice can substitute, just reduce the quantity to balance the flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. If unavailable, you might use imitation vanilla, but the taste won’t be quite the same. For a fun twist, try adding almond extract instead!
How Do I Cream Butter and Sugar Properly?
Creaming butter and sugar is crucial for fluffy cookies! Here’s how to do it right:
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. It should be easy to press with your finger but not melted.
- Use an electric mixer on medium speed and beat the butter until it’s creamy.
- Gradually add in the sugar, mixing until the blend is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Don’t rush this step—it helps incorporate air into your cookies, making them soft and tender.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Rolling the Cookies:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and another 10-12 minutes to bake. Allow a little extra time for cooling the cookies afterwards. In total, you should have delicious lemon sugar cookies ready in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick. This will make cleanup a breeze!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set this bowl aside; we’ll come back to it later.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar together. Mix this for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for a good texture!
4. Add the Wet Ingredients:
Now, add in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix it all together until you have a nice, smooth combination.
5. Combine the Dry and Wet Mixtures:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want tender cookies!
6. Shape the Cookies:
Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. Then, roll the dough ball in the extra 1/4 cup of sugar to coat it. This gives the cookies a nice sweet crust!
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet:
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each one. They’ll spread while baking!
8. Bake the Cookies:
Put the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges, while the centers might still look a bit soft—this is perfect!
9. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your tasty lemon sugar cookies!
Can I Use Butter Instead of Margarine in This Recipe?
Absolutely! The recipe already calls for unsalted butter, which gives the cookies a rich flavor. If you prefer margarine for dietary reasons, you can substitute it 1:1 for butter, but the flavor may be slightly different.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Lemons?
No problem! You can substitute the lemon juice and zest with bottled lemon juice—use about 2 tablespoons of bottled juice for the 1/4 cup needed. However, fresh lemons offer a brighter flavor, so if you can, try to use them!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling it into balls and coating with sugar.
How to Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container!
