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Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

A great little lemon cookie with just a hint of lemon. Rolled in sugar, they're great on their own, or even more lemony with the optional frosting.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 dozen

Ingredients
  

Cookies

  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Frosting

  • 1/3 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/3-1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

Cookies

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • Beat together butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add lemon zest, egg, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice; beat at medium speed until combined. Add dry ingredients and beat at low speed until combined.
  • Roll into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. If not using frosting, roll cookies in a cup of granulated sugar before placing on baking sheets.
  • Bake until centers are set, 9-11 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before moving to rack to cool completely.

Frosting

  • Combine frosting ingredients and beat until smooth. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to achieve the correct consistency. Ice cookies with cool.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • I’m not a fan of frosting, so I prefer these cookies plain and simple.  If you have frosting lovers, this recipe makes plenty to cover all of your cookies.
  • Butter and eggs should always be at room temperature for baking.  Yes, I break that rule, but never in this cookie. In a buttery sugar cookie like this, room temperature is not the same as softened in the microwave.  Put your butter on the counter for an hour prior to baking.
Keyword Cookies