I love cookies, and this lemon cookie recipe is a standout. The first bite is like a burst of sunshine. It’s sweet, tangy, and makes you feel like it’s summer.
Key Takeaways
- Easy-to-follow recipe that yields 12 large, soft, and chewy lemon cookies
- Quick preparation and baking time, with a total time of just 32 minutes
- Highly rated recipe with a 4.73 out of 5 star review based on 47 feedback
- Specific ingredient quantities including 2¼ cups of flour and ½ cup of butter
- Enhances the lemon flavor with lemon zest, lemon juice, and optional lemon glaze
Why These Lemon Cookies Will Become Your New Favorite
Get ready to fall in love with these lemon crinkle cookies! They have a soft, chewy texture and a bright lemon flavor. This makes them a perfect treat that you’ll want more of.
Perfect Texture and Flavor Profile
These cookies are soft and chewy inside with a slight crunch outside. The lemon flavor is just right, not too tart. It’s balanced by sweet and rich butter, with a hint of vanilla for extra taste.
Simple Ingredients List
This recipe for lemon cookies is easy to make. It uses common ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. The fresh lemon zest and juice add the amazing citrus taste.
Time-Saving Preparation
Busy bakers will love how fast these lemon crinkle cookies are to make. They need only 20-30 minutes to mix and 14-17 minutes to bake. This quick prep makes them great for sudden cravings or spontaneous baking.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Lemon Cookies
To make delicious lemon cookies, you need the right ingredients. You’ll need unsalted butter, granulated sugar, fresh eggs, and vanilla extract. Don’t forget the fresh lemon juice and zest, which are the main flavors.
Unsalted butter gives the cookies a creamy base. Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps the cookies hold their shape. Fresh eggs keep the dough together, and vanilla extract adds to the flavor.
The fresh lemon juice and zest are key for the lemon taste. Cornstarch is important for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. All-purpose flour helps the cookies stay together, making them light yet substantial.
For a sweet touch, dust the cookies with powdered sugar. This adds a nice contrast to the lemon flavor. These ingredients together create the perfect lemon cookie.
With these ingredients, you’re ready to bake delicious lemon cookies. Your family and friends will love them.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 8 ounces (16 tablespoons or 226g) |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup (206g) |
| Fresh Lemon Zest | 2-3 tablespoons |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 ⅔ cups (337g) |
| Cornstarch | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Powdered Sugar | 1 ⅔ cups (190g) |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | 2-3 tablespoons |
Together, these ingredients make a sweet, tart, and crumbly cookie. Using fresh, quality ingredients ensures your cookies are always delicious.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
To bake tasty lemon cookies at home, you need some key tools and equipment. You’ll need measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, and cooling racks. Having the right tools makes baking easier and ensures your cookies are perfect every time.
Mixing and Measuring Tools
- Measuring cups and spoons for accurately portioning out ingredients
- Large mixing bowl for combining the dough ingredients
- Hand mixer or stand mixer for efficiently mixing the dough
- Silicone spatula for scraping down the sides of the bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well-incorporated
- Microplane or zester for finely grating lemon zest
- Lemon reamer or juicer for extracting fresh lemon juice
- 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop for uniform dough portions
Baking Equipment
To bake the lemon cookies, you’ll need the following equipment:
- Baking sheets lined with material paper or silicone heating mats
- Cooling rack for allowing the cookies to cool completely after baking
Specialty Items
A small offset spatula is helpful for smoothing and frosting the lemon cookies once they’ve cooled.
“Having the right tools on hand can make all the difference in creating the perfect lemon cookies at home.”
The Best Lemon Cookie Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making perfect lemon cookies is simpler than you think! Just follow these easy steps to create zesty cookies that will delight your taste buds.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a heating sheet with material paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of unsalted butter and 266.67 grams of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Beat in 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 5 grams of fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Gradually include the dry fixings with the damp fixings, blending until they are fairly combined. Fold in 1 tablespoon of grated lemon zest.
- Scoop the mixture by the tablespoonful onto the arranged heating sheet, dividing them approximately 2 inches apart.
- Gently flatten each dough ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingertips.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still somewhat soft.
- Allow the treats to cool on the preparing sheet for 5 minutes sometime recently exchanging them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For an extra special touch, you can frost the lemon cookies with a delectable lemon buttercream. It’s made with 3 cups of powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest.
With these easy steps, you’ll make the best how to make lemon cookies and lemon cookie recipe steps. Your friends and family will love them.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Cookie Texture
Making the perfect lemon cookie needs focus on a few key things. This includes the butter’s temperature and how you mix the dough. Follow these expert tips to get cookies that are soft, chewy, and full of lemon flavor.
Proper Butter Temperature
Softened, room temperature butter is essential for the perfect cookie. Cold butter won’t mix well, causing uneven baking and a bad result. Let your butter sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Mixing Techniques
Getting the dough right is crucial for the cookie’s texture. Cream the butter and sugar together for 3-5 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. But don’t overmix after adding flour, as it can make the cookies tough. Just fold in the rest of the ingredients until they’re just combined.
Baking Time and Temperature
The right baking time and temperature are key for the perfect cookie. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheet for even baking. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are gently brilliant. Let the cookies cool completely to keep them soft and chewy.
Mastering these tips will help you bake perfect lemon cookies every time. With the right butter, mixing, and baking, you’ll get cookies that are soft, chewy, and loved by all.
How to Store and Keep Your Cookies Fresh
Keeping your homemade lemon cookies fresh is all about proper storage. Whether you’re dealing with lemon cookies or any other kind, these tips will help. They ensure your cookies stay fresh for a long time.
To keep them fresh for a short time, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can final up to one week this way. For longer storage, put them in the fridge for up to two weeks. Always use parchment paper to separate the layers to keep them moist.
For longer storage, freezing is the best option. Put the treats on a preparing sheet and solidify until strong. At that point, move them to a sealed shut holder or cooler sack. When you’re prepared to eat them, let them come to room temperature.
Remember, no matter how you store your lemon cookies, keep them away from sunlight and heat. These simple steps will help you enjoy your homemade lemon cookies for weeks!
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Up to 1 week |
| Refrigerator | Up to 2 weeks |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months |
Lemon Cookie Recipe Variations and Add-ins
Lemon cookies are a delightful treat, but why stop at just one recipe? Explore the world of lemon cookie variations and discover new ways to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re looking to experiment with different flavors or add a touch of creativity to your baking, these ideas are sure to inspire your inner cookie artist.
Flavor Combinations
While the classic lemon cookie is hard to beat, you can easily switch things up by incorporating other citrus fruits. Try using orange, lime, or grapefruit zest in place of the lemon for a refreshing twist. Herbs like thyme or rosemary can also add an unexpected savory note to balance the sweetness. For a decadent touch, fold in white chocolate chips or dried cranberries.
Decorative Options
Elevate the presentation of your lemon cookies by getting creative with decorations. Coat the dough in colored sanding sugar or sprinkle festive sprinkles before baking for a vibrant, eye-catching finish. You can also tint the dough or frosting with gel food coloring to match the occasion, whether it’s a holiday celebration or a summer picnic.
The possibilities for lemon cookie variations are endless. Experiment with different flavor combinations, textures, and decorative touches to find the perfect recipe that suits your taste and style. With a little creativity, you can transform a classic lemon cookie into a unique and delightful treat that will have your family and friends coming back for more.
Troubleshooting Common Baking Issues
When baking lemon cookies, you might face some common problems. Don’t worry, solving these issues is easy. With a bit of troubleshooting, you can get the perfect cookie texture every time.
Chilling the dough before baking is key to prevent cookies from spreading too much. This step solidifies the butter, stopping the dough from spreading too much. Also, use room-temperature baking sheets. Cold sheets can make the dough spread unevenly.
If your cookies turn out hard or dry, bake them a bit less. This will make them softer and more moist. On the other hand, if they’re too soft, bake them a bit longer or add an extra egg yolk. This will help firm up the texture.
FAQ
What are the key fixings in this lemon cookie recipe?
The main ingredients are unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Fresh lemon juice and zest are also key. You’ll need all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Powdered sugar is used for frosting.
How long does it take to make these lemon cookies?
Making these lemon cookies takes about 55 minutes to 1 hour. Preparation takes around 45 minutes. Baking them takes 10-14 minutes.
What makes these lemon cookies soft and chewy?
The butter, sugar, and cornstarch make them soft and chewy. The lemon juice and zest add a bright, citrusy taste.
Can I make any variations or add-ins to this lemon cookie recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with different citrus zests like orange or lime. Try adding herbs, white chocolate chips, or dried cranberries. You can also decorate them with colored sugar, sprinkles, or candies.
How do I store these lemon cookies to keep them fresh?
Store them in an air-proof holder at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate for 2 weeks or freeze for months. Use parchment paper between layers for freshness. Let them come to room temperature before serving if stored in the fridge or freezer.
What are some tips for achieving the perfect lemon cookie texture?
Use softened, room temperature butter and cream it with sugar for 3-5 minutes. Don’t overmix the dough after adding flour. Bake until the edges are just golden. This ensures the perfect texture.
Searching for even more delicious Cookie Recipes recipes? Try my “Cookie Recipes“.