Zesty Lemon Slice-and-Bake Cookies Recipe: Sweet Citrus Joy

Delicate crumbs melt on your tongue with these irresistible lemon slice-and-bake cookies that bring sunshine right into your kitchen.

Zesty citrus notes dance through each buttery bite, promising a moment of pure delight.

The simple slice-and-bake method makes these treats a breeze to whip up with minimal fuss.

Golden edges promise crisp perfection while the center remains tender and soft.

Bright lemon essence infuses every morsel with refreshing flavor that lingers delicately.

These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, ideal for afternoon tea or a quick sweet indulgence.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom with each delectable cookie.

How to Make Lemon Slice-and-Bake Cookies At Home

• Zesty Preparation

Grab fresh lemons and a mixing bowl. Combine zest with sugar, creating a fragrant base that promises delightful flavor bursts.

• Butter Blending

Work softened butter into the sugar mixture until it becomes light and cloud-like. Crack in a single egg and splash of citrusy juice for brightness.

• Dough Formation

Gently fold flour into the wet ingredients, forming a smooth, cohesive dough that hints at upcoming deliciousness.

• Chilling Adventure

Shape the dough into elegant logs, then tuck them into the refrigerator. Let them rest and develop deep flavor for several hours or freeze for quick preparation.

• Baking Magic

Heat the oven and line a baking sheet. Slice the chilled logs into delicate rounds, arranging them with care.

• Golden Transformation

Bake until edges turn a gentle golden color. Allow cookies to rest briefly in the warm oven, developing a perfect crisp texture.

• Cooling Moment

Transfer cookies to a cooling rack, letting them settle into their crisp, lemony personality. Enjoy the bright, refreshing result of your baking journey.

Tips to Customize Your Lemon Cookies

• Add orange or lime zest for a citrusy flavor explosion that brightens these delightful cookies.
• Cookie dough logs can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, perfect for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests.
• Drizzle a simple powdered sugar and lemon juice glaze over cooled cookies for an extra burst of tangy sweetness.
• For crispier edges, roll the dough log in coarse sugar before slicing, adding a delightful crunch and sparkly finish to each cookie.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Cookie Slices

• Zesty Tea Time Companion: Pair these lemon cookies with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea for a refreshing afternoon treat that brings out the bright citrus notes.
• Dessert Plate Elegance: Arrange cookies on a delicate white platter, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh lemon zest curls for an elegant presentation that wows guests.
• Sweet and Tangy Sandwich: Create mini dessert sandwiches by spreading a thin layer of lemon curd between two cookies, adding an extra burst of citrusy flavor and creamy texture.
• Festive Gift Packaging: Package cooled cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a yellow ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or spontaneous acts of kindness.

Keeping Lemon Cookies Fresh in the Tin

• Chilled Cookie Convenience: Prepare dough logs ahead and store in the freezer for up to 3 months, ready to slice and bake whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, maintaining their delicate lemon flavor and tender texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap unbaked dough logs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and preserve their zesty taste.
• Smart Portioning: Slice and freeze individual cookie rounds on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for easy single-serving baking whenever you desire a fresh, lemony treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 139 kcal

Servings: 25

Lemon Slice-and-Bake Cookies Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy base for cookies, choose unbleached flour for better texture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges, select fine-grain sugar for smooth mixing.

• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy taste and tender crumb, ensure room temperature for easy blending.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, creates structure, and adds richness to cookie dough.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, tangy citrus flavor, use fresh lemons for most vibrant taste and highest essential oil content.

• No additional ingredients needed for this recipe.

Tools for Baking Lemon Slice-and-Bake Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for creaming butter and mixing ingredients.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Essential for creating light, fluffy texture.
• Zester or grater: Perfect for extracting fresh lemon zest.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for accurate baking.
• Plastic wrap or parchment paper: Helps roll and wrap dough logs.
• Sharp knife: Clean cuts for uniform cookie slices.
• Baking sheet: Flat surface for even cookie baking.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crispness.

Zesty Lemon Slice-and-Bake Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Crisp lemon slice-and-bake cookies offer a zesty, delightful treat with buttery shortbread charm. Mediterranean sunshine meets classic baking tradition in this simple, elegant dessert recipe you’ll savor with pure pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 130 g (½ cup and 1 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes
• 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 30 g (2 tbsps) lemon juice
• 18 g (2 tbsps packed or ¼ cup) lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Zest Infusion: Massage lemon zest into granulated sugar to release vibrant citrus oils, then cream with softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
2. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend in room-temperature egg and fresh lemon juice until mixture becomes silky and homogeneous.
3. Dough Formation: Gently fold sifted all-purpose flour into wet ingredients, creating a smooth, cohesive dough without overworking.
4. Shaping and Chilling: Divide dough into two uniform logs, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 4-5 hours or freeze for 40 minutes to develop robust flavor and firm texture.
5. Preparation and Slicing: Center oven rack and preheat to 350°F (177°C). Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice chilled logs into thin, even rounds using a sharp knife.
6. Baking Process: Arrange cookie rounds on prepared sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake for 7-9 minutes until edges turn delicately golden, then allow residual heat to finish cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack, let cookies rest for 5 minutes, then carefully move to wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Zest Technique: Massaging lemon zest into sugar releases essential oils, intensifying the citrus flavor and creating a more aromatic base for the cookies.
• Butter Whipping Tip: Whip butter until light and pale to ensure a fluffy, tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Dough Handling: Avoid overmixing when incorporating flour to prevent tough, dense cookies; fold gently until just combined.
• Chilling Importance: Freezing or refrigerating the dough helps solidify fats, prevents spreading, and allows flavors to develop deeper, resulting in more complex and refined cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 139 kcal
• Sugar: 4.2 g
• Sodium: 38 mg
• Fat: 5.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20.7 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.9 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg