Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies
These easy lemon sugar cookies are flaky, soft, and bursting with bright citrus notes, perfect for quick, no-fuss baking that tastes homemade and fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- Zest of 2 medium lemons (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: zest and juice the lemons. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter with granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and flavorings: beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry: gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape the cookies: scoop dough into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls, roll each in granulated sugar, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
- Bake: bake for 10-12 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool: let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
If dough is too sticky, chill for 15 minutes before shaping. Rolling dough balls in sugar adds a delightful crunch. Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 1 ½
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Protein: 1
Keywords: lemon sugar cookies, easy lemon cookies, lemon zest cookies, quick cookies, homemade cookies, citrus cookies