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Lemon Cookies

These lemon cookies are soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and packed with real lemon flavor. They're easy enough for beginners, perfect with tea or coffee.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 175
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookie dough
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional lemon glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest

Method
 

Mix the dough
  1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
  4. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients just until combined.
Chill
  1. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Scoop dough into balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers look slightly soft.
  4. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
  5. If using glaze, whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle once cookies are cool.

Notes

Use fresh lemon zest for the best flavor. Don’t overmix after adding flour to avoid cakey cookies. Pull cookies out when the centers still look slightly soft—they finish setting while cooling.