Lemon sugar cookies are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Their sweet and tangy flavor makes them a refreshing choice, especially on warm days. These cookies are easy to make and will fill your kitchen with a lovely lemon scent.
Why Make This Recipe
Making lemon sugar cookies is a great way to enjoy a unique twist on traditional sugar cookies. They are soft, chewy, and bursting with citrus flavor. Whether you are baking for a family gathering, a picnic, or just to treat yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Plus, they pair beautifully with tea or lemonade!
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups of unbleached flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons lemon juice
- Drops of vanilla (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until combined.
- Add the egg, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing well.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until just combined.
- Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to create cookie dough balls and place them about 1.5 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies cool, make the glaze by mixing the lemon juice with the powdered sugar, and add a couple of drops of vanilla if desired.
- Mix well until smooth. Adjust with extra lemon juice or water for desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cookies and let cool completely.

How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies
Serve lemon sugar cookies on a nice plate to impress your guests. They can be enjoyed plain or with the lemon glaze drizzled on top. Pair them with a cup of tea or lemonade for a refreshing snack.
How to Store Lemon Sugar Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months.
Tips to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add more lemon zest.
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Don’t overbake the cookies; they should look slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven.
Variation
You can add a sprinkle of poppy seeds to the dough for an interesting texture and a bit of crunch. Additionally, you can experiment with different citrus zest, like orange, for a unique twist.
FAQs
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
A: Yes, but if you use salted butter, be sure to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can chill the dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking.
Q: How can I make the cookies softer?
A: To make softer cookies, try not to overbake them. Remove them from the oven when they are just set in the center.
Enjoy your baking!

Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until combined.
- Add the egg, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing well.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until just combined.
- Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to create cookie dough balls and place them about 1.5 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies cool, make the glaze by mixing the lemon juice with the powdered sugar, adding a couple of drops of vanilla if desired.
- Mix well until smooth. Adjust with extra lemon juice or water for desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cookies and let cool completely.