Description
Soft and chewy lemon cookies with fresh lemon juice, bright citrus zest, buttery centers, and a delicate powdered-sugar coating.
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Egg
Fresh lemon juice
Lemon zest
Vanilla extract
Powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, then add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft cookie dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to make it easier to scoop and roll.
- Scoop the chilled dough into small balls and generously roll each ball in powdered sugar.
- Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly grated zest for the brightest lemon flavor.
For stronger lemon flavor, add extra finely grated zest rather than additional juice, which can alter the dough texture.
Orange or lime juice and zest can be substituted for the lemon.
White chocolate chips or poppy seeds can be added for variation.
For a glazed finish, drizzle cooled cookies with a mixture of powdered sugar and a small amount of fresh lemon juice.
Do not overbake; removing the cookies while the centers are still soft helps keep them chewy.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2–3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Unbaked dough balls can also be frozen; roll them in powdered sugar shortly before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
