Description

These Lemon Sugar Cookies are delightfully soft and chewy with a bright citrusy flavor from fresh lemon zest and juice. Rolled in granulated sugar for a sweet, sparkling finish, they are perfect for any occasion. Easy to bake with simple ingredients, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
½ teaspoon Salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar (plus extra for rolling)
2 tablespoons Lemon Zest
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
1 large Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined to ensure proper leavening and seasoning.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups granulated sugar and lemon zest until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to create a tender texture. Then, add the egg, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vanilla extract, mixing well to incorporate all the wet ingredients.
Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can lead to tough cookies.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each ball in granulated sugar to create a sparkly coating. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
Cook to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
Finishing Touches: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy: These lemon sugar cookies can be enjoyed warm or stored in an airtight container for later enjoyment.

Notes

Rub the lemon zest into the sugar before mixing to intensify the lemon flavor in the cookies.
Do not overbake; the cookies should remain slightly soft in the center for the perfect chewy texture.
If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up before shaping.
For an extra sparkle, double-coat the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon sugar cookies, lemon cookies, soft cookies, chewy lemon cookies, easy cookie recipe, citrus dessert