Description
Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies that are bursting with fresh lemon flavor, featuring a tender texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus zest. These cookies are easy to make and ideal for any lemon lover looking for a delightful treat with a bright, zesty punch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 tsp lemon extract (or 1 tsp each lemon and vanilla extract)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
For Rolling & Garnishing
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Additional lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down sides as needed. Rubbing lemon zest with sugar beforehand enhances the lemon flavor.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Mix in the large egg and egg yolk, followed by the lemon extract (or lemon and vanilla extracts) until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Mound the all-purpose flour and place baking soda on top.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour lemon juice over the baking soda causing it to foam and activate.
- Mix Dough: Mix all ingredients just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain softness.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Either refrigerate the dough as a whole or scoop into 1 ½ to 2 tbsp sized balls, then refrigerate. Chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Roll in Sugar: Pour ¼ cup granulated sugar into a bowl and roll each chilled dough ball in the sugar.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, place 6-8 cookies per sheet spaced apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, taking care not to overbake. Cookies should remain soft and chewy.
- Shape Cookies: While warm, gently swirl a cup around each cookie to perfect the shape into circles.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will settle and become less puffy.
- Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle tops with additional granulated sugar and lemon zest for sparkle and extra flavor.
Notes
- Rubbing lemon zest with sugar releases more oils for enhanced flavor.
- Do not overmix after adding flour to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- Refrigeration of dough or dough balls is essential for texture and shape.
- Do not overbake; remove cookies when edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Using lemon extract in place of vanilla gives a stronger lemon flavor, but you can use both for balanced aroma.
- Swirling the cup around cookies while warm helps maintain a neat, uniform shape.
