If you are craving a bright, zesty treat that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors, the Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. These cookies are tender, buttery, and infused with fresh lemon juice and zest, topped with a luscious lemon glaze that adds just the right amount of sugary sparkle. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just yourself, this recipe delivers irresistibly soft cookies with a refreshing citrus pop that feels like a sunny day in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity: straightforward pantry staples come together with fresh lemon elements to create stunning flavor and perfect texture. Each ingredient plays a starring role, from the creamy butter that ensures softness to the zest and juice that give the cookies their vibrant personality.
- Unsalted butter (1 stick): Provides the rich, creamy base essential for tender cookies.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and helps create a chewy texture.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and adds moisture for softness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, subtle depth.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon + 5 teaspoons for glaze): Injects fresh citrus tang, brighten every bite and the glaze.
- Fresh lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Packs concentrated lemon aroma that amplifies freshness.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour (1½ cups): The structure for the dough, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Leavens cookies just enough for soft, pillowy texture.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Baking soda (¼ teaspoon): Works with acid for a perfect rise and texture.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Creates the smooth, sweet lemon glaze that finishes the cookies beautifully.
- Optional vanilla drops for glaze: Adds a hint of warmth to complement the tartness.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet and Preheat
Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial as it aerates the dough, giving your cookies a soft, delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla, Lemon Juice, and Zest
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. These ingredients infuse the dough with moisture and that unmistakable lemony brightness that makes this recipe stand out.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Incorporate the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda by stirring them into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix — you want the dough just combined to keep the cookies tender.
Step 5: Scoop the Dough
Use a tablespoon to drop portions of dough onto your lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart. This spacing helps the cookies bake evenly without merging into one another.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Bake in your preheated oven for 7 minutes. The cookies should remain soft and just set, with lightly golden edges, so resist the urge to overbake for the best texture.
Step 7: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time helps them firm up just enough to handle before glazing.
Step 8: Make the Lemon Glaze
Mix powdered sugar with 5 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice and a few drops of vanilla extract if you like. Whisk until smooth and glossy, adjusting thickness if needed by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice.
Step 9: Glaze Your Cookies
Drizzle the lemon glaze generously over the cooled cookies. Let the glaze set completely at room temperature before serving to ensure a delightful texture contrast.
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest or a few edible flowers on top of the glaze can add an extra pop of color and zing, making these cookies as beautiful as they are tasty.
Side Dishes
Pair your lemon sugar cookies with a cup of hot tea, especially green or chamomile, which complements the citrus flavors wonderfully. Alternatively, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side transforms this treat into a delightful dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these charming cookies stacked on a pretty plate tied with a yellow ribbon, or arrange them in a glass jar as a thoughtful gift. They also make fantastic party favors that guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and fresh, so you can enjoy the bright lemon flavor anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a sealed bag or container once frozen. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw completely before glazing.
Reheating
To gently refresh your cookies, warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt the glaze or make the cookies chewy.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the brightest flavor and acidity, but if necessary, bottled lemon juice can be used—just make sure it’s 100% lemon juice without additives.
How can I make these cookies more lemony?
Try adding a bit more lemon zest to the dough or increase the lemon juice slightly in the glaze to boost lemon flavor without altering texture too much.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
They are tender and soft with slightly crisp edges, creating a lovely melt-in-your-mouth effect enhanced by the smooth lemon glaze.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, the cookies are lovely on their own, but the lemon glaze adds a beautiful sweet-tart finish that really elevates the overall experience.
What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?
Spoon the flour lightly into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag to prevent packing in too much flour, which can make cookies dense.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you get as much joy making and eating these Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe as I do sharing them. They’re a simple, bright, and utterly delicious way to bring a little sunshine to your day, perfect for any occasion or just because you deserve a treat. Happy baking!
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Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 31 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a bright citrus flavor and a sweet glaze. Soft and tender inside with a slight crisp on the outside, they combine the zestiness of lemon with a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie base, finished with a tangy lemon glaze for an extra burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- A few drops vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, creating a light base for your cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors well.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Form Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and place them about 1.5 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and add a few drops of vanilla extract if using. Stir until smooth.
- Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the lemon glaze generously over the cooled cookies and let it set completely before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemons for juice and zest to maximize flavor.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right dough consistency.
- You can refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft to handle.
- Let the glaze set fully to avoid stickiness when stacking or storing cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
