Description
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat combining the zesty freshness of lemon with the sweet, buttery texture of classic sugar cookies. Perfectly soft with a slight crisp on the edges, they make an ideal snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For Rolling
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- Mix Butter, Sugar, and Zest: In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest using an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Lemon Juice and Egg: Incorporate the fresh lemon juice and the large egg into the mixture. Beat again until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Mix by hand using a spatula until a dough forms and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 to 60 minutes to firm up and develop flavors.
- Prepare for Baking: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Pour ¼ cup sugar into a small bowl for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Form and Roll Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to shape dough into balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the sugar to coat evenly. Arrange the coated dough balls on a silicone-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges develop a faint golden color, indicating they are cooked through yet soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- You can substitute lemon juice with lime juice for a slightly different citrus flavor.
- Refrigerating the dough is important to prevent spreading and enhance flavor.
- For extra lemon flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon extract.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a decorative touch, sprinkle additional sugar on top before baking.
