Zesty Lemon Cookies Recipe: Bright Bites of Citrus Bliss

Soft, buttery, and bursting with zesty sunshine, these delightful lemon cookies will transport you to a citrusy paradise.

A perfect lemon cookies recipe brings memories of summer afternoons and sweet conversations.

The bright, tangy flavor dances on your palate with each delicate bite.

Every crumb promises a refreshing escape from ordinary desserts.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies irresistibly addictive.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a treat that sparkles with lemony charm.

You’ll fall in love with this easy, delectable dessert that turns an ordinary moment into something magical.

Lemon Cookie Ingredient Rundown

• Caster Sugar: Creates smooth, silky sweetness with fine texture perfect for delicate desserts.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken and stabilize the lemon curd, ensuring perfect consistency.
• Egg: Provides richness and helps bind the curd ingredients together.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds luxurious creaminess and smooth texture to the filling.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, tangy flavor and natural acidity.
• Lemon Peel: Infuses intense citrus essence and aromatic zestiness into the curd.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, soft cookie structure with balanced texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings rich, buttery flavor and helps create soft, crumbly texture.
• Caster Sugar: Provides delicate sweetness and helps achieve smooth cookie consistency.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Paste: Enhances deep, complex flavor with real vanilla bean specks.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces vibrant, fresh citrus notes throughout the cookie.

• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates light, airy texture.
• Granulated White Sugar: Provides crisp, sweet exterior coating for delightful crunch.

Tools That Help Bake Lemon Cookies Perfectly

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar.
• Zester or grater: Great for extracting fresh lemon zest.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps create light, clump-free flour mixture.
• Ice cream scoop: Ensures uniform cookie sizes with minimal mess.
• Baking tray: Lined with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crisp edges.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise ingredient measurements guarantee delicious results.

Making Lemon Cookies in Simple Steps

• Zesty Butter Blend

Grab your mixing bowl and combine soft butter with sweet sugar, bright lemon zest, and a splash of vanilla. Whip everything together until the mixture looks smooth and creamy, creating a fragrant base for your cookies.

• Egg Integration

Crack in a fresh egg and mix until the batter becomes silky and well-incorporated, ensuring a rich texture for your upcoming treats.

• Flour Magic

Gently fold in flour, a pinch of salt, and baking soda. Work the ingredients until a soft dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.

• Chill Time

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This resting period helps the flavors meld and makes the dough easier to handle.

• Lemon Surprise Center

Scoop out portions of dough, flatten them, and nestle a dollop of frozen lemon curd in the middle. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, creating a delightful hidden center.

• Sugar Coating

Roll each cookie in sugar, giving them a sparkling, sweet exterior that will caramelize beautifully during baking.

• Baking Perfection

Arrange cookies on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake in a preheated oven until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the tray, allowing them to set and develop their final texture. Then savor these bright, lemony delights with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips to Tweak Your Lemon Cookie Flavor

• These lemon cookies come with some pro-level tricks to elevate your baking game.
• Freeze your lemon curd in small dollops beforehand, making it easier to wrap inside cookie dough without messy leaks.
• Let butter soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before creaming – this ensures smoother, more even cookie texture.
• Swap vanilla extract with almond or add crushed lavender for unexpected Mediterranean-inspired flavor twists.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or freeze for one month.

How to Serve Lemon Cookies With Style

• Zesty Tea Time Pairing: Serve these lemon cookies alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful afternoon treat that complements the bright citrus flavor.
• Dessert Platter Paradise: Create an elegant dessert spread by arranging these cookies with lavender shortbread, mini fruit tarts, and a small scoop of lemon sorbet for a refreshing contrast.
• Summer Picnic Star: Pack these cookies in a cute mason jar for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or park picnics – they're portable, delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone's faces.
• Brunch Bridal Shower Delight: Present these cookies on a tiered cake stand at a morning celebration, garnished with fresh mint leaves and accompanied by light, sparkling mimosas for an extra touch of elegance.

Storing Lemon Cookies the Right Way

• Chilling Strategy: Store raw dough in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Prepare cookie dough balls, place on a parchment-lined tray, and freeze solid before transferring to a sealed freezer bag for convenient 2-month storage.
• Cooling and Storing Technique: Allow cookies to completely cool at room temperature before arranging in a single layer inside an airtight container, which maintains their delicate texture and prevents moisture buildup.
• Room Temperature Maintenance: Keep finished cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight, lasting up to 5 days while preserving their zesty, buttery taste and soft, tender crumb.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 156 kcal

Servings: 13

Zesty Lemon Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic lemon cookies blend zesty citrus with buttery sweetness, creating a nostalgic treat perfect for afternoon tea. Home bakers can easily craft these delightful cookies with simple ingredients and enjoy their refreshing homemade charm.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (52 g) egg
• 1 (53 g) egg
• 110 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 22 g (1 ½ tbsps) unsalted butter
• 200 g (1 ⅔ cups) all-purpose flour
• 110 g (½ cup) caster sugar
• 55 g (¼ cup) caster sugar
• 45 g (3 tbsps) fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest from ¾ of a lemon
• Lemon peel from ¼ lemon (yellow peel only)
• 1 tsp vanilla paste or vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 4 g (1 tsp) cornstarch
• 1 pinch salt
• Granulated white sugar for coating

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Instructions

1. Cream Mixture: Blend softened butter, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
2. Egg Integration: Whisk in the room-temperature egg until the mixture becomes uniform and silky, developing a rich, consistent texture.
3. Dough Formation: Sift flour, salt, and baking soda into the wet ingredients, gently folding until a soft, pliable dough forms without overworking the mixture.
4. Chill and Prepare: Refrigerate the dough for 20-25 minutes while simultaneously freezing small lemon curd portions on a parchment-lined tray until solid.
5. Shaping Cookies: Scoop chilled dough into uniform balls, creating a central depression and inserting a frozen lemon curd dollop, then carefully encase the filling completely.
6. Coating and Arrangement: Roll each filled dough ball in granulated sugar, ensuring full coverage, and place on a lined baking sheet with adequate spacing.
7. Baking Process: Position the oven rack in the center and preheat to 350°F (180°C) with fan setting, then bake for 8-9 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden-brown.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking tray, which helps them set and develop an ideal crisp-yet-tender texture.

Notes

• Chill Dough Smartly: Refrigerate for 20-25 minutes to enhance flavor complexity and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Handle Lemon Curd Carefully: Freeze small dollops beforehand to create a stable, centered filling that won’t leak during baking.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies completely in granulated sugar for a delightful crisp exterior and added sweetness.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies cool entirely on the baking tray to ensure proper texture development and structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 156
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg