Bright, buttery, and bursting with citrus flavor, homemade lemon cookies are the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. Whether you love soft bakery-style cookies or light crinkle cookies with lemon glaze, this guide will help you make delicious lemon cookies from scratch.
🧾 Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional lemon glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp lemon juice
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the dough
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
Gradually add dry ingredients until combined.
2. Shape the cookies
Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet.
For crinkle-style cookies:
- chill dough 20 minutes
- roll in powdered sugar before baking
3. Bake
Bake for 9–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely.
4. Add glaze
Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
Drizzle over cooled cookies.
🍋 Tips for Maximum Lemon Flavor
- Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled
- Rub lemon zest into the sugar before mixing
- Add extra zest for stronger citrus flavor
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
🍪 Delicious Variations
- Add white chocolate chips
- Make lemon sandwich cookies with cream filling
- Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate
- Add poppy seeds for lemon-poppy flavor
☕ Perfect Pairings
- Tea
- Coffee
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh berries
- Lemonade or iced tea