Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are delightfully soft and chewy with a bright citrus flavor from fresh lemon zest and juice. Perfectly coated in sugar for a sweet, crunchy exterior, they make a refreshing treat ideal for any occasion. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, these cookies balance buttery richness with a zesty lemon twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For Rolling
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- Mix Butter, Sugar, and Lemon Zest: In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and fresh lemon zest for about 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Lemon Juice and Egg: Incorporate the fresh lemon juice and egg into the creamed mixture, beating again until fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt into the bowl, mixing by hand with a spatula to combine everything into a dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes to firm up and enhance flavors.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Place ¼ cup sugar in a small bowl for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Form and Roll Cookies: Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough into balls, then roll each ball in the sugar to coat the exterior thoroughly.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on a silicone-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until the cookie edges are just turning a faint golden color.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For stronger lemon flavor, increase lemon zest to 4 tablespoons.
- Make sure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor.
- You can store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
