Bright, fresh, and delightfully soft, these Lemon Sugar Cookies deliver everything you love about classic sugar cookies with a zesty twist. The sweet-tart punch of real lemon juice and zest pairs perfectly with buttery dough, creating cookies that are as sunny in flavor as they are in color. Whether you’re baking for spring gatherings, summer picnics, or simply to treat yourself, this recipe for Lemon Sugar Cookies is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Each bite is bursting with a balance of citrus and sweetness—perfect with a tall glass of milk or a cup of tea.

Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how just a few simple ingredients come together to create such cheerful, flavorful cookies. Every component plays a key role—bringing just the right texture, aroma, and sparkle to these treats.

All-purpose flour: Creates the structure, resulting in soft yet sturdy cookies that hold their shape beautifully.
Baking soda: Gives a touch of lift, ensuring a gentle rise and delectably tender bite.
Baking powder: Works alongside baking soda to achieve those perfectly puffy cookies.
Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances both the lemony brightness and the sweet notes.
Unsalted butter (softened): Lends rich flavor and creates that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and also creates a sparkly coating for each cookie.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for a chewy, tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Provides warmth and rounds out the flavors with a subtle aromatic touch.
Fresh lemon juice: Delivers bold citrusy tang that sets these cookies apart from the rest.
Lemon zest: Packs concentrated lemon oil for an extra burst of fragrance and zing.
Extra sugar for rolling: Adds a sparkly, slightly crunchy finish before baking.

How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and makes for easy cleanup afterwards. Trust me, parchment also makes for a flawless cookie bottom every time.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This simple step ensures all your leaveners are evenly distributed, so every Lemon Sugar Cookie rises just right.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aerates the butter, giving you cookies that are beautifully soft and airy, not dense or heavy.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients and Lemon Zest

Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. The combination of fresh juice and zest infuses the batter with citrus flavor—this is where the Lemon Sugar Cookies really start to shine.

Step 5: Combine and Form Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix—stop as soon as everything comes together, and your dough will be tender and perfect.

Step 6: Shape and Roll in Sugar

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and gently roll them into balls. Then, roll each ball in extra granulated sugar for that signature sparkle and a little extra crunch on the outside.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This patience pays off, as the cookies finish setting without becoming dry.

How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

For a pretty finishing touch, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a delicate curl of lemon zest atop each Lemon Sugar Cookie. You could even drizzle some simple lemon glaze over cooled cookies for extra citrus flair.

Side Dishes

Lemon Sugar Cookies are absolutely dreamy alongside a cup of earl grey tea, a frothy latte, or a glass of cold milk. They also pair wonderfully with a bowl of fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sunny dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Think outside the box and turn these cookies into ice cream sandwiches using lemon or berry gelato, or serve them stacked on a vintage cake stand for an afternoon tea party. Tuck a few cookies into a decorative tin as an edible gift—Lemon Sugar Cookies are always a crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, keep your Lemon Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days, maintaining their lemony scent and cheery crisp edges.

Freezing

If you’d like to have cookies on hand for whenever a craving strikes, freeze the baked cookies (layered between parchment) in a sealed container for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

To refresh leftover Lemon Sugar Cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This brings back their fresh-from-the-oven aroma and a hint of crispness while keeping the centers lovely and soft.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance, wrap it tightly, and keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to scoop and bake. Chilling can actually intensify the lemon flavor and give an even more tender crumb.

Do I have to use fresh lemon juice, or can I substitute bottled?

Fresh lemon juice and zest are key for the brightest, most natural flavor in your Lemon Sugar Cookies. While bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, you might miss that special zing real lemons provide.

How do I make these cookies extra lemony?

Boost the lemon flavor by adding another teaspoon of zest or a few drops of pure lemon extract. Just be cautious with extract, as a little goes a very long way—taste your dough and adjust as needed.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the regular flour. Check the baking powder and other ingredients to ensure they’re certified gluten-free as well.

Why did my Lemon Sugar Cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread more than expected, the butter may have been too soft or warm. To prevent this, chill your dough for 20-30 minutes before baking, especially if your kitchen is warm.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about the way Lemon Sugar Cookies can brighten any day with their sunny flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. I hope you give this recipe a try—once you experience how simple and irresistible homemade Lemon Sugar Cookies can be, you’ll find yourself making them for every celebration (and plenty of ordinary afternoons too!). Happy baking!