Lemon Sugar Cookies

These lemon sugar cookies are simple and delicious. A light hand with sugar and a touch of lemon makes them not overly sweet or tart with a soft, chewy texture. They're perfect for pairing with coffee or tea or serving alongside ice cream.

Lemon Sugar Cookies
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
36

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, plus 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice (from 2 lemons), divided

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup white whole-wheat flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. Beat sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg, beating until just incorporated. Add vanilla and lemon zest; beat until just incorporated.

  3. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together in a medium bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

  4. Using a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop (about 1 1/2 tablespoons), drop rounded scoops of dough 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

  5. Bake until slightly golden on the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

  6. Combine confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons lemon juice in a small bowl; stir until smooth. If necessary, add the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the cookies.

Tips

Equipment: Parchment paper

To make ahead: Prepare dough (Steps 2 & 3) and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

119 Calories
4g Fat
20g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 119
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 1g 2%
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Vitamin A 126IU 3%
Sodium 20mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles