Lemon Sugar Cookies (Printable)

Buttery sugar cookies infused with fresh lemon zest and juice. Soft-baked, rolled in sugar, ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the lemon zest, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll each in the extra sugar to coat.
07 - Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The buttery sweetness gets this bright wake-up call from fresh lemon that makes them impossible to stop eating
  • They stay chewy for days, assuming your household doesnt devour them within hours
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients combine so much better. Cold ingredients create little hard lumps that never fully mix in.
  • The dough balls can be frozen raw and baked later. Just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
03 -
  • Use a small ice cream scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly
  • Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for consistent browning