Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions are sunshine captured in a cookie. With their irresistibly soft texture, bright lemony flavor, and sparkling sugar coating, each bite offers a sweet burst of citrusy joy. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a casual afternoon snack, or a special celebration, these cookies never fail to put smiles on faces. The straightforward ingredients and easy-to-follow steps promise foolproof results and a delightful kitchen experience, making this recipe a cherished favorite for bakers of all skill levels.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity—every ingredient has a purpose, building flavor, tenderness, and that unbeatable fresh citrus aroma. Stock up on these essentials, and you’ll be on your way to perfect Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for cookies that hold together but stay soft–don’t substitute; stick with the classic!
- Baking Soda: Gives a gentle lift and ensures your cookies don’t come out dense.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): The secret to melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor—bring it to room temp for easy creaming.
- Granulated Sugar: A must for classic sweet taste and that subtle sparkle inside and out.
- Large Egg: Holds everything together and adds just the right amount of chewiness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Gives the cookies their vibrant citrus tang; always use freshly squeezed if you can!
- Lemon Zest: Packs an aromatic lemon punch and adds beautiful yellow flecks throughout the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Complements the lemon and adds depth—don’t skip it!
- Additional Granulated Sugar (for rolling): Coating the dough balls makes every bite sparkle and crunch.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to make sure it’s hot and ready when your cookies are. Line baking sheets with parchment paper so your Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions won’t stick and come off perfectly golden every time.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This little step ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly dispersed, so every cookie bakes up with the same soft-but-sturdy texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a larger mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and almost creamy—this usually takes 2–3 minutes. This essential step creates the base for cookies with a light, tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Egg, Lemon, and Vanilla
Next, add the egg, fresh lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is beautifully combined. The aroma at this stage is irresistible—it’s the citrusy heart of Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions!
Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet
Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything comes together. Be gentle! Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, and we’re after that dreamy, tender bite.
Step 6: Shape and Roll in Sugar
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each dough ball in your hands for a smooth, round finish, then give each one a roll in a shallow dish of extra granulated sugar. This is what creates that signature sparkle and delicate crunch around every Lemon Sugar Cookie: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions.
Step 7: Bake
Arrange the dough balls on your parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching for just the edges to turn lightly golden. The centers should look set but still soft. Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack—if you can wait that long!
How to Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions
Garnishes
Add a little extra flair by sprinkling more lemon zest over the warm cookies, making them even brighter. If you want to go all-out, a quick drizzle of simple lemon glaze can really elevate their look and tang. Edible flowers or thin lemon slices on a cookie tray make for an elegant touch during parties.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of Earl Grey tea or fresh-squeezed lemonade for a double hit of citrus. They’re also fantastic alongside vanilla ice cream, berry sorbet, or even a gently whipped ricotta for an Italian-inspired dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Brighten up a dessert platter by stacking Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions in a glass apothecary jar or arrange them in pretty bakery boxes tied with yellow ribbon for lovely homemade gifts. For a festive touch, layer the cookies with parchment in a tall tin or serve individually in cupcake liners for easy sharing at parties and potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay deliciously soft and have just the right amount of citrus flavor, maintaining their freshness for days—if they last that long!
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well. You can freeze the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, let them cool completely, then store in a zip-top bag or container in the freezer for up to three months. For unbaked dough, freeze the sugar-rolled balls in a single layer, then transfer to a bag; bake from frozen, just adding a minute or two more to the baking time.
Reheating
Want to enjoy that fresh-baked magic again? Simply pop your cookies into a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes, or let them come to room temperature on the counter. They’ll regain that lovely texture and aroma, just like the day you made them.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice is truly the secret to that vibrant, real lemon flavor, but in a pinch, bottled can work. Just keep in mind that fresh-squeezed makes Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions taste extra special.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it has a binder like xanthan gum. The cookies will be slightly different in texture but still totally delicious and zesty.
How do I get my cookies really soft?
Don’t over-bake—pull the cookies when the edges are set and just barely golden. They’ll finish firming up as they cool, giving you that super soft, lemony center that makes Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions so irresistible.
Can I add a lemon glaze?
Yes! Whisk together a little powdered sugar and extra lemon juice for a tangy, sweet glaze. Drizzle it over cooled cookies for another layer of lemon flavor and a beautiful, glossy finish.
How do I make these cookies extra lemony?
For a bold lemon punch, add a half teaspoon of pure lemon extract along with the juice and zest. You can also increase the zest just a bit for maximum sunny citrus flavor in every bite.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so heartwarming about baking and sharing a batch of Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions. Whether you keep these all to yourself or package them up for friends, the simple joy and zingy flavor are sure to brighten up any day. Go ahead—preheat that oven and let your kitchen fill with sunshine!
Print
Lemon Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Treat for All Occasions Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful citrus flavors of these soft and aromatic Lemon Sugar Cookies. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are a refreshing treat that will brighten up your day.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Combine the Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat with additional granulated sugar. Place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Enhance lemon flavor with a few drops of lemon extract.
- These cookies freeze well for make-ahead convenience.
- For a glazed version, drizzle with a simple lemon icing made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
