Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite treat to whip up in the kitchen: lemon sugar cookies! There’s just something about the bright, zesty flavor of lemon that lifts my spirits and fills the house with the most delightful aroma. This lemon sugar cookies recipe is incredibly simple, which means you don’t need to be a baking wizard to create these little bites of sunshine. They’re soft, chewy, and just sweet enough to put a smile on anyone’s face, making them perfect for any occasion—be it a cozy afternoon at home or a festive gathering with friends. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll be reaching for the recipe again and again. So, let’s get to baking, shall we?
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Make sure your butter is nice and soft; it makes such a difference when you’re creaming it with the sugar! And don’t skimp on the lemon zest—trust me, it adds that burst of freshness that makes these cookies truly shine. You can use fresh lemons or even bottled juice, but fresh is always best for that vibrant flavor. Gather everything together, and let’s get ready to bake some sunshine!
How to Prepare Instructions
Prepping the Oven and Mixing
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial—trust me, you want those cookies to bake evenly! While the oven is warming up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks like a cloud of buttery goodness. This texture is key for those soft cookies we’re aiming for!
Combining Ingredients
Now, let’s add in the fun part! Crack in that large egg, and pour in the lemon juice and zest. Mix it all together until it’s well combined. The zest adds such a bright flavor, so don’t skip it! In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix—this will keep your cookies tender!
Shaping and Baking
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape those cookies! Roll the dough into small balls—about 1 inch in diameter works perfectly—and place them on a lined baking sheet, giving them some space to spread out. Bake them in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time is essential for that perfect chewy texture!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: You can whip these up in just 30 minutes, making them a fantastic last-minute treat!
- Delightful Flavor: The zesty lemon flavor is refreshing and bright, guaranteed to brighten your day with every bite.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual get-together, a holiday party, or just a sweet snack at home, these cookies fit right in!
- Easy to Customize: Feel free to experiment! Add some poppy seeds for a delightful crunch or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips for Success
Now, let me share some of my favorite tips to ensure your lemon sugar cookies turn out perfectly every time! First up, don’t skip chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This little step makes a huge difference in achieving thicker, chewier cookies that hold their shape beautifully. If you love that zesty flavor (and who doesn’t?), feel free to boost the lemon zest a bit more than the recipe calls for—trust me, it amps up that refreshing taste in the best way. Also, keep an eye on your baking time; every oven is a little different. It’s better to pull them out a minute early than to risk overbaking. Finally, let them cool on the baking sheet for a bit before transferring to a wire rack—this helps them set up just right! Happy baking!
Serving Suggestions
These lemon sugar cookies are delightful on their own, but why not elevate your snack time? I love pairing them with a refreshing glass of iced tea or a light lemonade; the flavors complement each other beautifully. If you’re feeling a bit indulgent, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert! You could even crumble a cookie over yogurt for a fun breakfast twist. The possibilities are endless!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious lemon sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay yummy for about a week—if they last that long! If you want to savor them later, you can freeze them for up to two months. Just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy. No need to reheat; they’re perfect right out of the container!
Nutritional Information
So, if you’re curious about what’s in these delightful lemon sugar cookies, here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values per cookie. Keep in mind that these numbers can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes, but here’s a general idea:
- Calories: Approximately 120
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Sugar: 8g
These cookies are a sweet treat, but they’re not too heavy on the waistline! So, enjoy them guilt-free during your next snack break or dessert time. Happy indulging!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of flour?
Absolutely! While all-purpose flour works perfectly, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends if you need a gluten-free option. Just keep in mind that the texture might vary slightly.
What can I substitute for the butter?
If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative, you can use coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute. Just make sure it’s softened before mixing for the best results!
How do I make these cookies more lemony?
For an extra zesty kick, feel free to increase the lemon zest or add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the dough. You’ll be amazed at how much brighter the flavor becomes!
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can definitely freeze the cookie dough. Just roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag and store for up to two months. When you’re ready to bake, you can pop them directly into the oven—just add a minute or two to the baking time!
How should I store leftover cookies?
Keep your cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, but I doubt they’ll last that long once everyone gets a taste of them!
Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe: 7 Zesty Delights Await
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A simple and delicious lemon sugar cookies recipe perfect for any occasion.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest; mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture; mix until combined.
- Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, increase lemon zest.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sucre: 8g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 6g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 1g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 16g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: lemon sugar cookies recipe
