Description
Delight in these zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies topped with a smooth lemon frosting. Soft and buttery cookies infused with fresh lemon zest and juice offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For the Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1-2 teaspoons milk as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice into the creamed mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet lemon mixture, mixing just until a dough forms without overworking it.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass to form cookie shapes.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color.
- Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat together powdered sugar, softened butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Add milk one teaspoon at a time to achieve desired spreading consistency.
- Frost Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe lemon frosting on top. Let the frosting set before serving for best texture.
Notes
- For added sparkle and slight crunch, sprinkle granulated sugar on top of each cookie before baking.
- For a brighter appearance, tint the lemon frosting with yellow food coloring.
